Search Dictionary
Definition of doohickey

doohickey

/ˈduːˌhɪk.i/
doo · hick · ey
Plural:doohickeys
JUMP TO:

doohickey Lexical Profile

doohickey Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

North American A small object, gadget, or mechanical part whose exact name is unknown, forgotten, or unimportant (used informally as a placeholder).

Example

"Hand me that little metal doohickey on the workbench so I can tighten the hinge."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for doohickey

• Nearby Words

doodoo
doody
doofus
doohickey
dookie
doom
doomed

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in early 20th-century American English, likely as a humorous blend of the earlier slang terms 'doodad' and 'hickey' (in its older sense of a small gadget or mechanical device).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Doohickey. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/doohickey
Built for writers, students, and competitive word game players, Wordmom combines an uncluttered English dictionary and thesaurus with fast, pattern-based word finders so you can verify definitions, synonyms, and high-scoring tile plays in one place.
Word Games & Solvers
Word FinderScrabble Word FinderWords With Friends CheatWordle SolverAnagram Solver
Dictionary & Reference
DictionarySynonymsAntonymsWords
Community
Contact UsEditorial PolicyPrivacy PolicyTerms and Conditions
© 2016–2026 Wordmom Network. All rights reserved. Made with for word lovers everywhere.
Disclaimer: SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A. and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Words With Friends® is a registered trademark of Zynga Inc. Wordle® is a registered trademark of The New York Times Company. Other referenced game titles and tournament lexicon codes (including NASPA NWL and WESPA/HarperCollins CSW) are trademarks of their respective owners. Wordmom is an independent reference utility for educational and entertainment purposes and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Hasbro, Mattel, Spear, Zynga, The New York Times Company, NASPA, WESPA, or HarperCollins Publishers. All game names are referenced strictly under nominative fair use to indicate compatibility.