rhizoverbBeta
DictionarydoodadUnnamed small object
noun

doodad

DOO-dad/ˈdudæd/

A small object whose name is unknown or unimportant.

I keep this little doodad in case I need it.

A man examines a tiny, hard-to-identify mechanical trinket picked from a shallow drawer of miscellaneous small objects.
Etymology

Doodad was made up as a name for an unnamed thing. Its usefulness lies in standing in for a specific name, rather than describing the object.

In context

As Wood Turns5:15
Then with a wide putty knife, I split each doodad in half thru the craft paper.
Woodturning Weird Rolling Doodad Toys (Streptohedron)

More examples

  • What does that plastic doodad on your key ring do?
  • She decorates her desk with colorful doodads.
  • Some tiny doodad fell out when I opened the remote.

Forms

doodad · doodads

Similar words

doohickey
Often suggests a small device or mechanical part.
thingamajig
Can name an unfamiliar object of any size.