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Definition of dongle

dongle

/ˈdɑːŋ.ɡəl/
don · gle
Plural:dongles
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dongle Lexical Profile

dongle Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A small electronic device that plugs into a computer or other digital equipment to provide additional functionality, such as wireless connectivity, adapter ports, or software copy protection.

Example

"She plugged a wireless dongle into the laptop's USB port so she could use her external mouse and keyboard."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for dongle

• Rhymes for dongle

• Nearby Words

dong
dong nai
dong river
dongle
donkey
donkeywork
donna

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the late 1970s or early 1980s as an arbitrary computing term, possibly influenced by 'dangle' because the hardware device hangs from a computer port.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Dongle. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/dongle
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