gimmick

1 of 2

noun

gim·​mick ˈgi-mik 

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

… few readers would look for a gimmick in an advertisement featuring airline schedules, but few would fail to look for the fine print in an ad announcing New Low-Price Fares.

—Robert L. Heilbroner

b

: an ingenious and usually new scheme or angle

Even in professional careers, mere competence and craftsmanship is no substitute for a gimmick.

—James Poniewozik

c

: a trick or device used to attract business or attention

a marketing gimmick

gimmicky

ˈgi-mi-kē 

adjective

gimmick

2 of 2

verb

gimmicked; gimmicking; gimmicks

transitive verb

1

: to alter or influence by means of a gimmick

2

: to provide with a gimmick

—often used with up

Synonyms

Noun

• ruse
• scheme
• trick
• device

Examples of gimmick in a Sentence

Noun

The proposal to cut taxes was just an election gimmick to win votes.

that free dinner is just a sales gimmick to get you to listen to their sales pitch

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Some are borderline ingenious, while others seem more like marketing gimmicks. —New Atlas, 30 Oct. 2025

There was a time when 3D and IMAX were thought of as gimmicks, right? —Damon Wise, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2025

Verb

Jacy Jayne Jordynne Grace and newcomer Blake Monroe have been doing an odd couples gimmick similar to Zaria and Sol Ruca. —Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 13 July 2025

Start your engines Mouse gimmicks aside, Nintendo is leaning heavily on two first-party exclusives to convince customers that the system is worth buying in the crucial early window after its June 5 launch. —ArsTechnica, 3 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

origin unknown

First Known Use

Noun

1908, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Verb

1922, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for gimmick

• mimic
• thymic
• bulimic
• metonymic
• patronymic

Kids Definition

gimmick

noun

gim·​mick

ˈgim-ik

1

a

: an ingenious scheme or device

b

: a trick or device used to attract business or attention

a marketing gimmick

2

: an important feature that is not immediately apparent

gimmicky

-i-kē

adjective