Contrivances Meaning in English
word · lemma: contrivance
Definition
Contrivances are clever devices, inventions, or plans made to solve a problem or achieve something, often in an unusual or artificial way.
Usage & Nuances
'Contrivances' is formal or literary. Often carries a sense of artificiality or cleverness, sometimes implying something is unnecessarily complicated. Common for gadgets, inventions, plots in stories ('plot contrivances'). Not used in everyday conversation.
Example Sentences
The inventor filled his workshop with strange contrivances.
basic
Many kitchen contrivances make cooking faster.
basic
The story relied on several unlikely contrivances.
basic
All those clever contrivances look impressive, but are they really useful?
natural
The plot moves forward thanks to some narrative contrivances.
natural
Sometimes, the best solutions are simple—not complicated contrivances.
natural