Definition

Noun: 1. Assorted items, paraphernalia: A collection of miscellaneous, often small, objects or bits and pieces. 2. A gadget or device (chiefly British, informal): A small, unspecified mechanical object or contrivance, especially one whose name is unknown, forgotten, or considered unimportant.

Usage

The word "gubbins" is a chiefly British, informal term. It is used to refer vaguely to a collection of small items or to a single small device, often with a tone of slight dismissiveness or affection. It describes things that are considered trivial, messy, or whose specific names are not worth recalling.

Examples

• Referring to miscellaneous items:
  • I need to sort through all the gubbins in this drawer.
  • He emptied his pockets: keys, coins, and assorted gubbins.
• Referring to a gadget:
  • Just turn that little metal gubbins on the side to adjust it.
  • What does this gubbins here do?

Advanced Usage

• "The whole gubbins": This phrase is used to mean "the whole thing" or "the entire set of related items or apparatus."
  • You have to assemble the shelf, the brackets, the screws—the whole gubbins.

Variants and Related Words

• Gubbinses (plural, non-standard): An informal plural form, though "gubbins" itself is often treated as a plural or collective noun.
  • There are too many little gubbinses to keep track of.

Synonyms

• Paraphernalia: Miscellaneous articles, especially the equipment needed for a particular activity.
• Bits and bobs: Small miscellaneous items.
• Doodad / Thingamajig / Whatchamacallit: Informal words for an object whose name one cannot recall.
• Gizmo: A gadget, especially one that is novel or complex.
• Junk: Old or discarded items considered useless.

Related Idioms

• All the gubbins: Synonymous with "the whole gubbins," meaning everything included.
  • The kit comes with the tool, a case, and all the gubbins.

Noun

1. something unspecified whose name is either forgotten or not known
   • she eased the ball-shaped doodad back into its socket
   • there may be some great new gizmo around the corner that you will want to use