whatsit: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, colloquial
Quick answer
What does “whatsit” mean?
A word used to refer to something whose name one does not know or cannot recall.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A word used to refer to something whose name one does not know or cannot recall; a thingummy.
A placeholder or filler word for an unspecified object, gadget, or person; can sometimes refer informally to a thing with perceived complexity or obscurity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
More common in British English than American English, where "thingamajig" or "gizmo" might be equally frequent. Also spelled "whatsit" in both, but sometimes hyphenated "what-sit" in older UK texts.
Connotations
Slightly more colloquial and familiar in UK English; can sound quaint or old-fashioned in some US contexts.
Frequency
High frequency in informal UK speech; moderate-to-low in US, where it may be perceived as a Britishism.
Grammar
How to Use “whatsit” in a Sentence
Pass me the [whatsit].You know, the [whatsit] that goes in the socket.It's one of those [whatsit]s.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “whatsit” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He spent the afternoon whatsitting about with the engine. (informal, rare)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; only in very informal internal communication to refer vaguely to a product or tool.
Academic
Virtually never used; considered inappropriate for formal writing.
Everyday
Common in casual conversation when the exact term is forgotten or unimportant.
Technical
Used humorously among professionals to refer to a complex component whose name is momentarily elusive.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “whatsit”
- Using in formal writing
- Pluralizing irregularly (whatsits is fine)
- Overusing as a crutch for vocabulary gaps.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is informal colloquial language, not suitable for formal contexts.
Very rarely and only in a dismissive or humorous way (e.g., "Tell old whatsit over there to come here").
The regular plural 'whatsits' is commonly used.
Occasionally hyphenated (what-sit), but the single word 'whatsit' is standard.
A word used to refer to something whose name one does not know or cannot recall.
Whatsit is usually informal, colloquial in register.
Whatsit: in British English it is pronounced /ˈwɒtsɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈwɑːtsɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “and all whatsit (informal for 'et cetera')”
- “whatsit to you? (rare, jocular variation of 'what's it to you?')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
WHAT SITs there? I forgot its name, so I'll call it a WHATSIT.
Conceptual Metaphor
LANGUAGE IS A TOOL (a temporary, makeshift tool for reference when the precise one is missing).
Practice
Quiz
In which context would 'whatsit' be LEAST appropriate?