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

Officials say San Diego’s structural deficit was hidden in recent years by $550 million in federal pandemic aid and other temporary funding and financial gimmicks. — David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Nov. 2026

Over that half century, the ship has risen from stage gimmick to cultural landmark, particularly in Black culture, and has earned a place in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC). — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 5 Nov. 2026

Some of these artists genuinely intended to step aside before changing their minds years later, and others simply saw a reliable gimmick to dramatically increase ticket sales and had no actual intention of retiring. — Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 3 Nov. 2026

Still, there is something to be said for not deluging the viewer in on-screen gimmicks and graphic flashes. — Brian Steinberg, Variety, 2 Nov. 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