gimmick
Americannoun
-
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)
verb (used without object)
noun
-
something designed to attract extra attention, interest, or publicity
-
any clever device, gadget, or stratagem, esp one used to deceive
-
a device or trick of legerdemain that enables a magician to deceive the audience
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of gimmick
An Americanism dating back to 1925–30; origin uncertain
Explanation
A gimmick is a trick intended to attract attention. If you lure crowds to your bake sale by having popular football players handing out samples in front of your booth, that’s a gimmick. A gimmick is often used by businesses to sell a product. As a sales gimmick, your local bank might offer free microwave ovens to people who open new savings accounts. A TV show may air a live episode as a gimmick to get people to watch the show. The word sometimes has a slightly negative connotation — there’s often some flashy trickery involved in a gimmick and it doesn’t always add value to what’s being sold.
Vocabulary lists containing gimmick
"Diary of a Wimpy Kid" by Jeff Kinney
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Smoke and Mirrors: The Lingo of Illusion and Deception
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Lemonade War
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Scottish Retail Consortium called the policy a "potty gimmick".
From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026
Not as a gimmick to please the King.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 28, 2026
One comic gimmick involves Appa’s superhuman grip that can subdue even the mightiest of men.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2026
But serious kudos to Kalshi for this marketing gimmick.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 18, 2026
Every business needed a gimmick, I suppose, and hers clearly worked if she could afford a pad like this.
From "City of the Plague God" by Sarwat Chadda
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
