gimmick

noun gim·mick \ ˈgi-mik \

Updated on: 13 Apr 2018

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

… 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

play \ˈgi-mi-kē\ adjective

See gimmick defined for English-language learners

See gimmick defined for kids

Examples of gimmick in a Sentence

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 of gimmick from the Web

Such gimmicks invariably yield diminishing returns.

— brian lowry, CNN, "'A Quiet Place' leads box office, as horror keeps making noise," 8 Apr. 2018
Companies staged attention-grabbing gimmicks, such as Carter Products commissioning Salvador Dali to make a sculpture promoting its tranquilizer, Miltown, for a conference.

— jon kelvey, Smithsonian, "How Advertising Shaped the First Opioid Epidemic," 3 Apr. 2018
There’s no tricks or gimmicks here -- a little vibrato guitar, a swinging rhythm section, a few raindrops of piano and a lively double-time chant to wrap it up.

— morgan enos, Billboard, "Phil Cook's Americana Delicacy 'Steampowered Blues' Is Pure, Simple & Immediately Appealing: Premiere," 3 Apr. 2018
In addition, the A7R III has another gimmick, a feature called PSMS (Pixel Shift Multi Shooting).

— stefan etienne, The Verge, "Sony A7 III and A7R III review: mirrorless magic," 30 Mar. 2018
Marketing for the March 24 event won't rely on gimmicks like chihuahua beauty pageants or luchador photo booths, Navarro said.

— eder campuzano, OregonLive.com, "Portland Tequila and Tacos Festival organizer says authenticity is the name of the game," 16 Mar. 2018
Also, be prepared for a fair share of gimmicks: Kayak has a knack for stunts, too.

— sebastian modak, Condé Nast Traveler, "New Kayak Feature Shows You What That Checked Bag Actually Costs," 14 Mar. 2018
Martinez worked under Cubs manager Joe Maddon who is the MLB's king of unconventional gimmicks.

— charlotte carroll, SI.com, "Nationals Use Hump Day to Ride in on Camels At Spring Training," 28 Feb. 2018
Berkshire Hathaway has always been the quintessential buy-and-hold company—and helps ensure that its Class A shareholders are focused on the same long-term goals by refusing, for example, to indulge in gimmicks like stock splits.

— clifton leaf, Fortune, "Amazon–J.P. Morgan–Berkshire Hathaway: What Their New Health Venture Really Means," 31 Jan. 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.