A gadget is a small, clever device designed to do a specific job, usually in a handy or ingenious way. Your phone is a gadget. A can opener is a gadget. That tiny LED light that clips onto your book for reading in the dark? That's a gadget too.

The word often suggests something compact and useful, with a bit of cleverness built into its design. Kitchen gadgets might include an egg slicer, a garlic press, or a tool that cores apples in one quick twist. Tech gadgets range from fitness trackers to portable speakers to those pop-up phone holders that stick to the back of your phone case.

What makes something a gadget rather than just a tool or machine? Usually it's the combination of being relatively small, having a specific purpose, and feeling somewhat modern or innovative. A hammer isn't really a gadget because it's too simple and ancient. But a hammer with a built-in measuring tape, level, and nail holder? Now we're getting into gadget territory.

People who love gadgets are sometimes called gadget lovers or tech enthusiasts. They enjoy discovering new devices that solve problems in creative ways, even small problems like organizing cables or opening jars more easily.