mcguffin: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, specialized (narrative theory, film criticism). Sometimes informal/humorous.
Quick answer
What does “mcguffin” mean?
A plot device in a film, book, or story, typically an object, goal, or motivator that drives the narrative but whose specific nature is ultimately unimportant to the story.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A plot device in a film, book, or story, typically an object, goal, or motivator that drives the narrative but whose specific nature is ultimately unimportant to the story.
Any object or concept in any context (e.g., business, psychology) that serves primarily as a motivator or catalyst for action, while its intrinsic value or details are secondary or irrelevant.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Spelling sometimes varies (McGuffin/MacGuffin/Maguffin) but 'McGuffin' is the most common in both regions.
Connotations
Same connotations in both varieties: cinematic, technical (within narrative theory), or knowingly referential.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both, but slightly more likely to be encountered in US contexts due to the global dominance of Hollywood film discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “mcguffin” in a Sentence
[Story/Film] + revolves around + a McGuffin[Character] + is after/pursuing + the McGuffin[It/That] + is nothing more than + a McGuffinVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mcguffin” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The McGuffin-driven plot felt a bit hollow.
American English
- It's a classic McGuffin plot.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used metaphorically to describe a project goal or KPI that motivates team activity but may have little intrinsic value.
Academic
Used in film studies, literature, and narrative theory to analyse plot structure.
Everyday
Rare. Used by film enthusiasts or in a humorous, metaphorical way (e.g., 'Our holiday plans were just a McGuffin to get us talking again').
Technical
Precise term in screenwriting and narrative analysis.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mcguffin”
- Capitalising it inconsistently (McGuffin is standard).
- Using it to mean simply a 'gimmick' or 'trick'.
- Thinking the object must be meaningless; it has narrative meaning, just not intrinsic detailed importance.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The term was popularised, though not necessarily invented, by film director Alfred Hitchcock.
Yes, though less common. If a character's primary function is to be pursued or searched for, and their personal details are irrelevant to the plot's core themes, they can serve as a McGuffin.
This is debated. While it drives the plot, its specific nature, history, and corrupting power are central to the story's themes, making it more than a pure McGuffin. A purer example is the statuette in *The Maltese Falcon*.
A McGuffin is a specific *type* of plot device. All McGuffins are plot devices, but not all plot devices are McGuffins. A McGuffin is specifically an object of desire that propels the story forward.
A plot device in a film, book, or story, typically an object, goal, or motivator that drives the narrative but whose specific nature is ultimately unimportant to the story.
Mcguffin is usually formal, specialized (narrative theory, film criticism). sometimes informal/humorous. in register.
Mcguffin: in British English it is pronounced /məˈɡʌfɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /məˈɡʌfɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “It's just a McGuffin.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a MacGuffin as the thing the heroes are 'going for' in the film. 'Mac' + 'Go-For' = McGuffin.
Conceptual Metaphor
A NARRATIVE IS A JOURNEY, and the McGuffin is the DESTINATION or TREASURE MAP.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes a McGuffin?