MACGUFFIN

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does MacGuffin mean? 

• MACGUFFIN (noun)
  The noun MACGUFFIN has 1 sense:

1. (film) a plot element that catches the viewers' attention or drives the plot

  Familiarity information: MACGUFFIN used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• MACGUFFIN (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

(film) a plot element that catches the viewers' attention or drives the plot

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

MacGuffin; McGuffin

Context example:

the McGuffin was a key element of Alfred Hitchcock's films

Hypernyms ("MacGuffin" is a kind of...):

plot element (a component or element of the plot of a story)

Domain category:

celluloid; cinema; film (a medium that disseminates moving pictures)