What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
widget
Example
I need to buy a widget to fix my bike. [widget: noun]
Example
The weather widget on my phone shows the current temperature. [widget: software component]
Example
She loves collecting quirky widgets for her desk. [widget: gadget]
contraption
Example
The Rube Goldberg contraption was a complicated machine that performed a simple task. [contraption: noun]
Example
The scientist built a contraption to measure the velocity of the particles. [contraption: device]
Example
He created a contraption to help him reach the high shelves in his kitchen. [contraption: invention]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Widget is a more common word than contraption and is often used in everyday language to describe small devices or software components. Contraption is less common and is often used in more creative or humorous contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between widget and contraption?
Neither widget nor contraption are formal words, but widget is more commonly used in professional or technical contexts due to its association with software components and devices.
