plot device

plɑt dɪˈvaɪs

Definition

Definition of plot device - Reverso English Dictionary

Noun

storytelling

TECH.

element used to advance a story's plot

TECH.

The mysterious letter was a clever plot device.
Time travel is often used as a plot device.
The lost heirloom served as a crucial plot device.

Add a suggestion |

Feedback:

Expressions with plot

plot out

plan the storyline of a narrative

She decided to plot out her novel before writing.

plot armor

character's protection from harm due to plot importance

The hero survived again thanks to plot armor.

hatch a plot

secretly plan something, usually bad

They hatched a plot to steal the jewels.

have lost the plot

act confusedly or irrationally, losing clear thinking

He seems to have lost the plot during the meeting.

plot one's downfall

devise a scheme to ruin someone

They plotted her downfall to take over the company.

lose the plot

lose focus on important goals or principles

She lost the plot and forgot her main objectives.

Expressions with device

cleaning device

tool or machine for removing dirt or dust

The vacuum cleaner is a popular cleaning device.

electronic device

gadget with electronic components

The electronic device stopped working after it got wet.

exercise device

equipment designed for physical activity and fitness

The gym has a new exercise device for cardio workouts.

measuring device

instrument used to determine size, amount, or degree

The ruler is a simple measuring device.

memory device

technique to help remember information

Using acronyms is a common memory device for students.

smart device

electronic item that can process data and connect to networks

Her smart device tracks sleep and sends alerts.

recording device

machine that captures sound, images, or data for later use

The interview was saved using a digital recording device.

towing device

piece of equipment used to pull or drag another vehicle or load

The truck's towing device can handle very heavy trailers.

birth control device

device used to prevent pregnancy

She opted for a birth control device to avoid pregnancy.

electrical device

apparatus powered by electrical energy

She bought a new electrical device for the kitchen.

Terms with plot device included in their meaning

💡 A powerful way to uncover related words, idioms, and expressions linked by the same idea — and explore meaning beyond exact word matches.

deus ex machina

literary plot device

unexpected power or event solving a seemingly unsolvable issue in a story

reset button

fiction

plot device returning characters to original state

deathtrap

story plot

plot device where a hero faces a deadly situation

MacGuffin

plot device

object in a story that triggers the plot

View all translations of plot device

✨Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.

French:artifice de l'intrigue, ...
German:Handlungsinstrument, ...
Italian:espediente narrativo, ...
Spanish:recurso argumental, ...
Portuguese:recurso narrativo, ...
Chinese:情节装置, ...
Japanese:プロットデバイス, ...
Arabic:عُنْصُر سَرْدِي, ...
Hebrew:אֶמְצָעִי עֲלִילָתִי, ...
Russian:сюжетный ход, ...
Ukrainian:сюжетний елемент, ...
Hindi:कथानक युक्ति, ...
Bengali:প্লট ডিভাইস, ...
Catalan:recurs narratiu, ...
Czech:dějový prostředek, ...
Danish:fortællergreb, ...
Dutch:plotwending, ...
Greek:αφηγηματικό τέχνασμα, ...
Hungarian:cselekményelem, ...
Khmer:ធាតុជំរុញដំណើររឿង, ...
Korean:플롯 장치, ...
Persian:تمهید داستانی, ...
Polish:zabieg fabularny, ...
Portuguese (BR):recurso narrativo, ...
Romanian:artificiu narativ, ...
Swedish:handlingsverktyg, ...
Thai:องค์ประกอบของเรื่อง, ...
Turkish:olay örgüsü aracı, ...
Vietnamese:yếu tố thúc đẩy cốt truyện, ...

Discover how Reverso redefines the dictionary

Go beyond “simple words”

100,000 expressions & idioms Understand any expression you come across: from corporate jargon like 💬 touch base or ↩️ circle back to everyday expressions such as 🌊 out of the blue or 🦆 lame duck, as well as idioms like 🍲 spill the beans and 🐎 hold your horses.

40,000 images When you search for a concrete noun or object, images help you grasp the meaning at a glance. Try searching for 🧵 puppytooth, 🎠 merry-go-round, ⚜️ fleur-de-lys, or 💤 bunk bed.

Informal language & slang Everyday conversations are packed with informal expressions and slang. Meanings are clearly tagged, so you'll always know when a word is casual. Look up hangry (😋 hungry + 😡 angry), 😎 rizz, 🕹️ noob, or 🔑 low-key.

Abbreviations & acronyms Quickly decode modern abbreviations and acronyms. Go from IDK to OMG in seconds and stay up to date with popular abbreviations such as 🐐 GOAT, 📜 tl;dr, 👀 POV, or 🖥️ AFK.

Regional usage (US / UK) Reverso highlights regional differences between American and British English. You’ll never have to wonder where a word is commonly used: try lift vs. elevator, courgette vs. zucchini, or popular British slang like dodgy or banter. What’s more, when you search for 'color', you’ll immediately see its British counterpart, 'colour'.

Get more than a simple definition

Translations for each meaning View translations alongside each meaning to see how a word is translated in each context. Simply toggle translations ON and choose among 25+ languages. You can also display the translation of definitions or examples into your native language to deepen your understanding.

Synonyms & related words by meaning View synonyms and related words for each meaning, not just for the word as a whole. This helps you choose the most accurate word for your context. Click the

icon to discover related terms: analogies, antonyms, common collocates, words with same roots, umbrella terms… Try with happening or hunch.

Multiple examples for every meaning Each meaning comes with three real-life examples to show you how the word is used in different contexts. Click the

icon next to the first example to see two additional options and learn to use new vocabulary naturally.

Go from understanding to mastery

Save words for later review Click the

icon to save words you want to revisit. You can also save a specific meaning by clicking on the

icon next to it. For example, you might want to save the word “table” as a verb, which means “to postpone”.

Practice with personalized flashcards Reverso automatically transforms your searches and saved words into personalized flashcards and quizzes, featuring high-quality audio and usage examples. This helps you transform terms you only recognize into words you actually use confidently.

Learn with Netflix, YouTube, and your favorite texts With Reverso Chrome extension, transform movies, TV shows, articles, or song lyrics into an interactive lesson. Look up words and expressions in one click on any website and learn with your favorite content.