# widget

/ˈwɪdʒɪt/ (US) · /wˈɪdʒɪt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/widget
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. computing interface component

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

a part of a computer screen that you interact with, like a button, a menu, or a text box.

For teachers: an element of a graphical user interface (GUI) that displays information or allows a user to interact with an application.

- The developer added a new search widget to the top of the website.
- The framework allows developers to customise every widget within the interface, from simple buttons to complex data-entry forms.

Usage: Commonly used in web development and software design contexts.

### 2. small desktop applet

noun · CEFR B2

a small, simple application on your phone or computer screen that shows quick information like the weather.

For teachers: a small, self-contained software application or applet that runs on a desktop or mobile home screen.

- I have a weather widget on my phone so I can see the temperature instantly.
- Users can drag and drop various widgets onto their dashboard to monitor real-time stock prices and calendar events.

### 3. hypothetical product

noun · CEFR C1 · Academic

a name used for a made-up product when explaining how business or manufacturing works.

For teachers: a placeholder name for a hypothetical manufactured good, typically used in economic or business models to illustrate concepts.

- The professor explained supply and demand by using a factory that makes widgets.
- In this economic simulation, we assume the firm produces ten thousand widgets per month at a fixed marginal cost.

Usage: Almost exclusively used in business, law, or economics textbooks.

### 4. small tool or gadget

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a small, useful device or tool whose name you might not know.

For teachers: a small mechanical device or control; often used as a synonym for gadget or implement.

- He used a little plastic widget to pop the cover off the battery compartment.
- The toolkit included several specialized widgets designed for removing paint from delicate glass surfaces without scratching them.

### 5. beer can device

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · British English

a small plastic ball inside a beer can that makes the drink foamy when you open it.

For teachers: a small plastic device placed in a container of beer to manage the characteristics of the head.

- You can hear the plastic widget rattling inside the empty can of stout.
- The introduction of the nitrogen-filled widget revolutionized the experience of drinking canned stout by replicating a draught-style pour.

## Examples

- I added a weather widget to my home screen.
- The developer created a custom widget to allow users to track their daily water intake directly from the lock screen.
- Modern operating systems support third-party widgets, enabling users to aggregate various data streams into a single, customizable interface without opening individual applications.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.