kludge Meaning & Definition
What Does Kludge Mean?
Kludge is used as a noun meaning An improvised device, typically crudely constructed to test the validity of a principle before implementing a finished design. It is also used to mean Any construction or practice, typically crude yet effective, designed to solve a problem temporarily or expediently. As a verb, it means To build or use a kludge.
Kludge in Brief
| Part of speech | noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /klʌd͡ʒ/ |
| Plural | kludges |
| Verb forms | kludges, kludging, kludged |
Kludge Definition (Noun)
- An improvised device, typically crudely constructed to test the validity of a principle before implementing a finished design.
- Any construction or practice, typically crude yet effective, designed to solve a problem temporarily or expediently.
- An amalgamated mass of unrelated parts.
- A badly written or makeshift piece of software; a hack.
Kludge as a Verb
- To build or use a kludge.
Noun
- (electronics engineering) An improvised device, typically crudely constructed to test the validity of a principle before doing a finished design.
Synonyms of Kludge
The source does not list synonyms for this entry.
Kludge synonyms and antonyms →Word Forms & Grammar
kludge (plural kludges)
kludge (third-person singular simple present kludges, present participle kludging, simple past and past participle kludged)
Words That Rhyme With Kludge
Origin of Kludge
Origin 1: Perhaps from British military slang, possibly based on Scots word kludge or kludgie (“common toilet”), or perhaps from German klug (“clever”). Alternatively, possibly related to Polish klucz (“key, clue, main point”) and Russian ключ (ključ, “key, clue”).
Origin 2: Alternatively, perhaps from (a form related to) Germanic words such as Dutch Low Saxon klütje (“(little) dumpling, clod”), Dutch kluit(je) or Jutland Danish klyt (“piece of bad workmanship, klud(g)e”); compare and standard Danish kludder (“mess, disorder”). (Compare klutz.)
Origin 3: There is evidence that kluge (which see) was once a separate word with similar meaning but separate derivation, but the spelling kludge was widely popularized in the US by an article in Datamation "How to Design a Kludge" (1962),[1] and since then the two words have often been used as alternative spellings of each other.
Origin 4: According to the OED, an "invented word" influenced by bodge and fudge.
Questions People Ask About Kludge
Is kludge a noun or a verb?
Kludge is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.
What is the plural of kludge?
The plural of kludge is kludges.
What is the past tense of kludge?
The past tense of kludge is kludged. The present participle is kludging.