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

The stabs at humor also fall flat, even if the gimmick of a priest injecting his enemies with a serum that obliges them to attend mass every Sunday is kind of fun the first time, but not really the second or third. — Jordan Mintzer, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2026

His latest book, Three Tenses, a well as his Pulitzer Prize finalist Same Bed Different Dreams, are complex without resorting to gimmicks or cheap obfuscation that implies depth. — James Folta, Literary Hub, 10 Sep. 2026

Democrats and health advocates deride the plan as an election-year gimmick, noting Republicans let ACA subsidies expire, sending premiums skyrocketing, while questions remain about funding, legality and whether $500 meaningfully helps. — Fatima Hussein, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Bringing that same structure to Miami was a deliberate choice, not a promotional gimmick. — Wyles Daniel, Miami Herald, 10 Sep. 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