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 element (such as a requirement or condition) that is not immediately apparent : catch

The person on the other end of the phone said, "Doesn't that sound good?" I replied, "Yes, it does, but what's the gimmick?"

—Gwen Johnson

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 of gimmick

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

Chad Powers season 2 Season one, which spun an Eli Manning gimmick video into a sports comedy with Glen Powell as a disgraced college-football star, started to veer in a fascinating, somewhat depraved direction. — Savannah Salazar, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026

Early critics argued that these tools were a mere gimmick, incapable of true artistic utility or nuance. — Coco Mao, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026

Follow the lead of those who stay strong in the face of the gimmicks on display all around us this time of year, leaders like Alica Schmidt. — Sean Joseph Outkick, FOXNews.com, 23 Aug. 2026

With regular competitive 90-minute games now just days away for English clubs, there is a temptation to view these unusual formats as a gimmick. — George Edwards, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026

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