contraption

Meanings

Noun

a device or control that is very useful for a particular job
A machine that is complicated and precarious.
Any object.

Origin / Etymology

Possibly a Western US English dialectal word of unknown origin. Perhaps from contrive + trap + -tion, while also possibly approximating construction. Chambers suggests contrivance + adaption. Neither Chambers nor Concise Oxford suggests a US origin. Compare cantrip, cantrap (Scots dialect), a wilful piece of trickery.

Synonyms

appliance, construction, contrivance, convenience, device, fandango, gadget, gismo, gizmo, mechanism, widget

Scrabble Score: 15

contraption is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
contraption is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
contraption is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 19

contraption is a valid Words With Friends word