What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
contraption
Example
The inventor showed off his latest contraption, a machine that could peel an apple in seconds. [contraption: noun]
Example
The kids spent the afternoon building a contraption out of cardboard boxes and rubber bands. [contraption: noun]
apparatus
Example
The firefighters arrived with their apparatus, ready to put out the fire. [apparatus: noun]
Example
The laboratory had a state-of-the-art apparatus for measuring the chemical composition of samples. [apparatus: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Apparatus is more commonly used than contraption in scientific, technical, and formal contexts. Contraption is less common and is often used in creative or imaginative contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between contraption and apparatus?
Apparatus is generally considered more formal than contraption, which has a more casual and playful connotation. Therefore, apparatus is more appropriate to use in formal or technical writing, while contraption is more suitable for informal or creative writing.
