Word page
Whatsis means an informal placeholder word for a thing whose real name is forgotten, unknown, or unimportant. It belongs to odd objects and contraptions and works best in describing tools, curiosities, and mysterious things with personality. It still feels usable today, especially when you want a word with more character than the plainest alternative.
Whatsis means an informal placeholder word for a thing whose real name is forgotten, unknown, or unimportant. It is usually pronounced WHAT-sis, and today it is still readable to modern audiences, even if it sounds more deliberate than everyday speech.
In plain English, whatsis refers to an informal placeholder word for a thing whose real name is forgotten, unknown, or unimportant. It is most useful when a plain label would tell the truth but miss the tone, flavor, or comic edge.
Whatsis feels absurd because it has more texture than the plain alternative, giving the idea an extra bit of theatrical, comic, or overbuilt energy.
Whatsis is generally traced to english colloquial shortening of “what is this?”. In modern use, the history matters less than the strong tone the word still carries.
Whatsis is still usable today, especially when you want language that feels more distinctive than the plainest modern alternative.
Use whatsis when you want a more vivid, characterful choice than the plain everyday alternative. It works especially well in describing tools, curiosities, and mysterious things with personality.
whatsit, thingamajig, gizmo, widget, doohickey
specific term, proper name, exact label
Edited by Absurd Words. Last updated: May 9, 2026. See the editorial policy for how definitions, examples, labels, and update checks are handled on the site.
