gimmick
1 of 2noun
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 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
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
James Poniewozik c
: a trick or device used to attract business or attention
a marketing gimmick
gimmicky
ˈgi-mi-kē
adjective gimmick
2 of 2verb
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
Noun
- artifice
- device
- dodge
- fetch
- flimflam
- gambit
- jig
- juggle
- knack
- play
- ploy
- ruse
- scheme
- shenanigan
- sleight
- stratagem
- trick
- wile
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 Steve Kolowich, Washington Post, 26 July 2022 In February, when Democratic lawmakers explored the idea, Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader, dismissed it as a gimmick. New York Times, 20 June 2022 And having the legacy cast members join in the adventure is not just a gimmick to pull in an older audience. Frank Pallotta, CNN, 10 June 2022 Instead, the Concept Phone 2021 is currently just a great marketing gimmick that will have people talking about the company’s game-changing 160W charging speed. Chris Smith, BGR, 29 June 2021 But the running gimmick Friday was largely a sour distraction, almost robbing Kelly of the ability to defy the doubters on his own terms. Piet Levy, Journal Sentinel, 2 July 2022 For many of the country’s fashion designers, sustainability is no greenwashing gimmick. Eunica Escalante, Vogue, 22 Apr. 2022 The gimmick, of course, is that nice guys and fboys all look alike on the surface. Christie D’zurilla Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2021 The gimmick of going from sitcom to drama is clever enough to intrigue viewers on its own. Olivia Truffaut-wong, refinery29.com, 21 June 2021 Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2020 See More
Noun
The Choco Taco was a mash-up that didn’t read as a gimmick. Steve Kolowich, Washington Post, 26 July 2022 In February, when Democratic lawmakers explored the idea, Senator Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, the Republican leader, dismissed it as a gimmick. New York Times, 20 June 2022 And having the legacy cast members join in the adventure is not just a gimmick to pull in an older audience. Frank Pallotta, CNN, 10 June 2022 Instead, the Concept Phone 2021 is currently just a great marketing gimmick that will have people talking about the company’s game-changing 160W charging speed. Chris Smith, BGR, 29 June 2021 But the running gimmick Friday was largely a sour distraction, almost robbing Kelly of the ability to defy the doubters on his own terms. Piet Levy, Journal Sentinel, 2 July 2022 For many of the country’s fashion designers, sustainability is no greenwashing gimmick. Eunica Escalante, Vogue, 22 Apr. 2022 The gimmick, of course, is that nice guys and fboys all look alike on the surface. Christie D’zurilla Staff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2021 The gimmick of going from sitcom to drama is clever enough to intrigue viewers on its own. Olivia Truffaut-wong, refinery29.com, 21 June 2021 Verb
Pat Brown gimmicked the accounting system to escape raising taxes again before Republican Ronald Reagan ousted him in 1966. Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2020 See More 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
Kids Definition
gimmick
noun
gim·mick ˈgi-mik
: a method or trick used to get people's attention or to sell something
gimmick
noun
1
as in ruse
a clever often underhanded means to achieve an end that free dinner is just a sales gimmick to get you to listen to their sales pitch Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- ruse
- scheme
- trick
- device
- ploy
- stratagem
- gambit
- dodge
- jig
- flimflam
- knack
- sleight
- shenanigan
- juggle
- bluff
- wile
- fetch
- deception
- artifice
- sleight of hand
- trickery
- play
- hoax
- subterfuge
- feint
- cunning
- fakery
- jugglery
- end run
- chicanery
- swindling
- swindle
- cheating
- duplicity
- sham
- legerdemain
- dupery
- fraud
- gaff
- skulduggery
- cozenage
- blind
- skullduggery
- crookery
- craft
- smoke screen
- front
2
as in gadget
an interesting and often novel device with a practical use a car equipped with a parking spot locator and other neat gimmicks Synonyms & Similar Words
- gadget
- tool
- contraption
- gizmo
- contrivance
- accessory
- mechanism
- innovation
- appliance
- widget
- trick
- jigger
- instrument
- invention
- gismo
- implement
- ingenuity
- utensil
- adjunct
- thingamajig
- doohickey
- dingus
- thingamabob
- doodad
- thingummy
- accessary
- hickey
- hootenanny
- thingumajig
3
as in hitch
a danger or difficulty that is hidden or not easily recognized the deal sounds too good to be true, so make sure there aren't any gimmicks Synonyms & Similar Words
- hitch
- gotcha
- pitfall
- kicker
- snag
- joker
- risk
- catch
- booby trap
- land mine
- catch-22
- decoy
- trap
- surprise
- trip wire
- bomb
- bait
- snare
- hazard
- bombshell
- web
- lure
- peril
- surprize