gimmick

¹gim·mick

noun \ˈgi-mik\

Definition of GIMMICK

1

a : a mechanical device for secretly and dishonestly controlling gambling apparatus

b : an ingenious or novel mechanical device : gadget

2

a : an important feature that is not immediately apparent : catch

b : an ingenious and usually new scheme or angle

c : a trick or device used to attract business or attention <a marketing gimmick>

— gim·micky \-mi-kē\ adjective

Examples of GIMMICK

1. The proposal to cut taxes was just an election gimmick to win votes.
2. <that free magazine subscription they offer is just a sales gimmick to get you to buy their product>

Origin of GIMMICK

origin unknown

First Known Use: 1922

Related to GIMMICK

Synonyms

artifice, device, dodge, fetch, flimflam, gambit, trick, jig, juggle, knack, play, ploy, scheme, shenanigan, sleight, stratagem, wile

Related Words

bluff, end run, feint; cheating, chicanery, cozenage, craft, crookery, cunning, deception, dupery, duplicity, fakery, jugglery, legerdemain, skulduggery (or skullduggery), subterfuge, swindling, trickery; fraud, gaff, hoax, sham, swindle; blind, front, smoke screen

Other Game Terms

bezique, carom, convention, crap, euchre, gambit, monte, parlay, tierce

Rhymes with GIMMICK

mimic

²gimmick

transitive verb

Definition of GIMMICK

1

: to alter or influence by means of a gimmick

2

: to provide with a gimmick —often used with up

First Known Use of GIMMICK

1922

Rhymes with GIMMICK

mimic