gimmick

noun

gim·mick | \ ˈgi-mik

Definition of gimmick

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : a mechanical device for secretly and dishonestly controlling gambling apparatus

b : an ingenious or novel mechanical device : gadget

2a : 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

gimmick

verb

gimmicked; gimmicking; gimmicks

Definition of gimmick (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to alter or influence by means of a gimmick

2 : to provide with a gimmick —often used with up

Other Words from gimmick Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about gimmick

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Examples of gimmick in a Sentence

Noun

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

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

But one of the surest reasons for the film's success is its central gimmick: a modern horror film with next-to-no dialogue. — Simon Abrams, The Hollywood Reporter, "Did 'A Quiet Place' Take Enough Risks?," 16 Apr. 2018 But in actuality, the WWE could trot out the Gobbledy Gooker or the Bunny or Kane reprising his Isaac Yankem gimmick as Strowman’s partner. — The Editors Of Gq, GQ, "WrestleMania 34 Is Going to Be a Goddang Blast," 6 Apr. 2018 This is perhaps why Paige’s interest in Christianity in earlier seasons didn’t feel like a gimmick designed to develop her character. — Todd Vanderwerff, Vox, "Farewell to The Americans, TV’s most (accidentally) relevant show," 28 Mar. 2018 After a surprise release following the Super Bowl, The Cloverfield Paradox, the third installment of the Cloverfield franchise, fails to live up to its more inventive marketing gimmick. — Darren Orf, Popular Mechanics, "The 2018 Sci-Fi Film Guide," 28 Dec. 2017 The play’s large ensemble, then, isn’t a gimmick, but rather a necessary device for Butterworth to explore the complexity of everyday, familiar (and familial) extremism working on a community. — Aja Romano, Vox, "The Olivier-winning play from Jez Butterworth juggles 21 actors, a baby, and a goose — with a dark strain of Irish nationalism.," 3 Nov. 2018 But if designers are going to resort to runway gimmicks to get our attention, please let more of them spark as much joy as a surprise Barry Manilow performance. — Lauren Alexis Fisher, Harper's BAZAAR, "Here Is Barry Manilow Singing “Copacabana” at New York Fashion Week," 13 Feb. 2019 This is Not a Love Song by Brendan Mathews No gimmicks here, no story cycles, or postmodern experiments in form, Brendan Mathews’s lovely, quietly ambitious debut collection, This is Not A Love Song, is simply a stirring exercise in world building. — Vogue, "Need a Read? Here Are 4 New Books We're Loving," 26 Feb. 2019 Here’s JackSucksAtLife blowing $500 on aimless Fiverr gimmicks, which earned him a whopping 289,000 views. — Luke.winkie, Vox, "Inside Venezuela’s YouTube prank economy," 12 Dec. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gimmick.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.