appliance

Compared meaning: a device made for a task (noun).

比较义项：家用/实用装置、器具（名词）。

• appliance 本词

  A fairly large machine built for one specific household task (cooking, cleaning, laundry); neutral to formal in register, and not something you'd call small or portable.

  指体积较大、专为某一项家务任务（烹饪、清洁、洗衣等）而设计的机器；语气中性偏正式，通常不会用来形容体积小或便携的东西。

  The old kitchen appliance finally broke down after ten years of daily use.

  那台旧厨房电器用了十年，终于坏掉了。

• gadget

  A small, clever or novel device, often electronic, valued mainly for being convenient, fun or ingenious rather than for a serious domestic task; more informal in tone.

  指体积小、构思新颖或巧妙的小装置，通常是电子产品，主要因为方便、有趣或有创意而受人喜爱，而不是为了完成正式的家务任务；语气较随意。

  This tiny gadget clips onto your keychain and doubles as a bottle opener.

  这个小玩意可以挂在钥匙扣上，还能当开瓶器用。

Appliance and gadget both mean a device made for a task. Appliance means a large machine for one household job, like cooking, in a neutral, formal tone. Gadget means a small, clever device, valued for being novel and convenient, not just for home use.

这两个词都指“为完成某项任务而设计的装置”，但范围和语气不同：appliance 通常指体积较大、固定用于家务的机器，语气中性偏正式；gadget 通常指体积小、构思新颖或有趣的小装置，语气较随意，常带“好玩、新奇”的意味，不一定局限于家庭场景。