Definitions for macguffin
macguf·fin

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. McGuffin, MacGuffinnoun

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

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

WiktionaryRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. MacGuffinnoun

   A plot element or other device used to catch the audience's attention and maintain suspense, but whose exact nature has fairly little influence over the storyline.

2. Etymology: Used by Alfred Hitchcock.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. MacGuffin

   In fiction, a MacGuffin (sometimes McGuffin) is an object, device, or event that is necessary to the plot and the motivation of the characters, but insignificant, unimportant, or irrelevant in itself. The term was originated by Angus MacPhail for film, adopted by Alfred Hitchcock, and later extended to a similar device in other fiction.The MacGuffin technique is common in films, especially thrillers. Usually, the MacGuffin is revealed in the first act, and thereafter declines in importance. It can reappear at the climax of the story but may actually be forgotten by the end of the story. Multiple MacGuffins are sometimes derisively identified as plot coupons.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. macguffin

   A MacGuffin is a plot device in the form of some goal, desired object, or other motivator that the protagonist pursues, often with little or no narrative explanation as to why it is considered so important. The specific nature of a MacGuffin is typically unimportant to the overall plot. The most common type of MacGuffin is an object, place, or person; however, more abstract MacGuffins, such as money, survival, or power, can also fulfill the role. This term is popular in films, particularly in the thriller and adventure genres.

WikidataRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. MacGuffin

   In fiction, a MacGuffin is a plot device in the form of some goal, desired object, or other motivator that the protagonist is willing to do and sacrifice almost anything to pursue, protect or control, often with little or no narrative explanation as to why it is considered so important. The specific nature of a MacGuffin is typically unimportant to the overall plot. The most common type of MacGuffin is an object, place or person. However, a MacGuffin can sometimes take a more abstract form, such as money, victory, glory, survival, power, love, or even something that is entirely unexplained, as long as it strongly motivates key characters within the structure of the plot. The MacGuffin technique is common in films, especially thrillers. Usually the MacGuffin is the central focus of the film in the first act, and then declines in importance as the struggles and motivations of characters play out. It may come back into play at the climax of the story, but sometimes the MacGuffin is actually forgotten by the end of the story. Multiple MacGuffins are sometimes derisively referred to as plot coupons.

Matched Categories

1. • Film
   • Plot Element

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

1. [["1975","21"],["1977","3"],["1978","8"],["1979","7"],["1980","1"],["1983","2"],["1984","4"],["1985","9"],["1986","2"],["1987","7"],["1988","2"],["1989","4"],["1990","1"],["1992","7"],["1993","1"],["1994","2"],["1995","2"],["1996","2"],["1997","2"],["1998","5"],["1999","3"],["2000","8"],["2001","2"],["2002","10"],["2003","8"],["2004","11"],["2005","10"],["2006","17"],["2007","7"],["2008","11"]]

How to pronounce macguffin?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

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   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say macguffin in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of macguffin in Chaldean Numerology is: 3

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of macguffin in Pythagorean Numerology is: 8

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=macguffin
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Macguffin
3. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macguffin
4. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
5. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=macguffin
6. ^ Usage in printed sources
   https://books.google.com/ngrams/graph?content=macguffin