gimmick

American  

[gim-ik] / ˈgɪm ɪk /

noun

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

   Synonyms:

   angle, ploy, ruse, plan, stunt

2. 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.

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

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

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verb (used with object)

1. to equip or embellish with unnecessary features, especially in order to increase salability, acceptance, etc. (often followed byup ).

   to gimmick up a sports car with chrome and racing stripes.

verb (used without object)

1. to resort to gimmickry, especially habitually.

gimmick British  

/ ˈɡɪmɪk /

noun

1. something designed to attract extra attention, interest, or publicity

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

3. a device or trick of legerdemain that enables a magician to deceive the audience

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Other Word Forms

• gimmicker noun
• gimmickry noun
• gimmicky adjective
• ungimmicky adjective

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.

Example Sentences

Asked if the policy was a "potty gimmick", Swinney told BBC Radio Scotland: "No, it's about helping people who are really struggling in our society today."

From BBC • Apr. 17, 2026

That was the gimmick, the talked-about secret to McDonald’s growing success: 15-cent hamburgers, 19-cent cheeseburgers, 10-cent fries, 20-cent milkshakes, ready for your arrival.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 20, 2026

Indeed, even without its central gimmick, “Company Retreat” would still make a decent sitcom; there are funny characters speaking funny lines; there’s some good slapstick.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2026

The firms that treat prompting AI as something to become fluent in — not a gimmick or tertiary function — will win.

From MarketWatch • Feb. 25, 2026

The idea at the research lab in Workingham was something of a gimmick, a “media event” designed to show some of the emerging research.

From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel

Related Words

• artifice
• device
• fun
• gadget
• gizmo
• instrument
• maneuver
• method
• ploy
• ruse
• stratagem
• stunt
• trick