gimmick

[ gim-ik ]

/ ˈgɪm ɪk /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR gimmick ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

an ingenious or novel device, scheme, or stratagem, especially one designed to attract attention or increase appeal.

a concealed, usually devious aspect or feature of something, as a plan or deal: An offer that good must have a gimmick in it somewhere.

a hidden mechanical device by which a magician works a trick or a gambler controls a game of chance.

Electronics Informal. a capacitor formed by intertwining two insulated wires.

verb (used with object)

to equip or embellish with unnecessary features, especially in order to increase salability, acceptance, etc. (often followed by up): to gimmick up a sports car with chrome and racing stripes.

verb (used without object)

to resort to gimmickry, especially habitually.

Nearby words

Origin of gimmick

An Americanism dating back to 1925–30; origin uncertain

SYNONYMS FOR gimmick

1. stunt, plan, ruse, ploy; angle.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR gimmick ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formsgim·mick·er, noungim·mick·y, adjectiveun·gim·mick·y, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for gimmick

Critics praised his crooning, even if they regarded it little more than a gimmick.
Future Makes Us Rethink Everything We Thought We Knew About Rap Artists|Luke Hopping|December 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The old showbiz saying is “you gotta have a gimmick,” and Minaj has wisely gotten a few.
Nicki Minaj’s Ass-tastic ‘Anaconda’ Video and the Curse of the Butt Career|Kevin Fallon|August 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Daylyt downplayed the gimmick, later claiming on Twitter that it was his way of saying he was finished with battle rap.
America’s Poets: Battle Rap Gets Real|Rich Goldstein|July 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“The entire thing was supposed to be a gimmick ... just a small gimmick in the corner of the festival,” he says.
Does Your Drone Deliver?|Abby Haglage|August 20, 2013|DAILY BEAST

But I had to come up with a way to make the style match the content (rather than it merely being a gimmick).
Benjamin Percy: How I Write|Noah Charney|June 5, 2013|DAILY BEAST
He knew from the word that the scientist had immediately spotted some reason why his gimmick wouldn't work.
The Electronic Mind Reader|John Blaine
We'd need several contestants, because the gimmick could be worked on every big money quiz.
The Electronic Mind Reader|John Blaine
Then you've got to waste a lot of time looking for the gimmick if you're going to follow it through.
The Great Gray Plague|Raymond F. Jones
You're going to keep up with me, drink for drink, until I can eyeprint that gimmick of yours—or else I stop drinking.
The Ego Machine|Henry Kuttner
Everyone had a little sideline, a gimmick, to put one over on whoever was gullible enough to swallow it.
The House from Nowhere|Arthur G. Stangland

British Dictionary definitions for gimmick

gimmick

/ (ˈɡɪmɪk) /

noun

something designed to attract extra attention, interest, or publicity

any clever device, gadget, or stratagem, esp one used to deceive

mainly US a device or trick of legerdemain that enables a magician to deceive the audience

Derived Formsgimmickry, noungimmicky, adjective

Word Origin for gimmick

C20: originally US slang, of unknown origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for gimmick

gimmick

1926 (in Maine & Grant's "Wise-Crack Dictionary," which defines it as "a device used for making a fair game crooked"), American English, perhaps an alteration of gimcrack, or an anagram of magic.