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contrivance

con·triv·ance
C c

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [kuh n-trahy-vuh ns]
    • /kənˈtraɪ vəns/
    • /kənˈtraɪ.vəns/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [kuh n-trahy-vuh ns]
    • /kənˈtraɪ vəns/

Definitions of contrivance word

  • variable noun contrivance If you describe something as a contrivance, you disapprove of it because it is unnecessary and artificial. 3
  • countable noun contrivance A contrivance is an unfair or dishonest scheme or trick to gain an advantage for yourself. 3
  • noun contrivance something contrived, esp an ingenious device; contraption 3
  • noun contrivance the act or faculty of devising or adapting; inventive skill or ability 3
  • noun contrivance an artificial rather than natural selection or arrangement of details, parts, etc 3
  • noun contrivance an elaborate or deceitful plan or expedient; stratagem 3

Information block about the term

Origin of contrivance

First appearance:

before 1620
One of the 42% oldest English words
First recorded in 1620-30; contrive + -ance

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Contrivance

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

contrivance popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 91% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.

contrivance usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for contrivance

noun contrivance

  • gimmick — an ingenious or novel device, scheme, or stratagem, especially one designed to attract attention or increase appeal.
  • ruse — a city in N Bulgaria, on the Danube.
  • artifice — Artifice is the clever use of tricks and devices.
  • dodge — to elude or evade by a sudden shift of position or by strategy: to dodge a blow; to dodge a question.
  • stratagem — a plan, scheme, or trick for surprising or deceiving an enemy.

Antonyms for contrivance

noun contrivance

  • ignorance — the state or fact of being ignorant; lack of knowledge, learning, information, etc.
  • disorganization — a breaking up of order or system; disunion or disruption of constituent parts.

Top questions with contrivance

  • what does contrivance mean?
  • what is contrivance?
  • what is a contrivance?
  • what is the meaning of contrivance?

See also

Matching words

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