gimmick

American  

[gim-ik] / ˈgɪm ɪk /

noun

gimmicks plural

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

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• gimmicks
  plural

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

See Examples For:

gimmick gimmicks

Read more: New ‘Ex-Elon’ ETFs let you avoid SpaceX and Tesla — but are they just a gimmick?

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 10, 2026

There is no gimmick to “get,” other than the film’s loving lampoon of the TV movie.

From Salon ● Jun. 22, 2026

Before its release in 1995, critics did not expect much from the original film, which was seen as a children's movie with the added gimmick of being the first ever entirely computer-animated film.

From BBC ● Jun. 1, 2026

Manufactured in Los Angeles, they first appeared on the highways of North America in the early 1960s as an advertising gimmick, often promoting car lots or car parts.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 12, 2026

If he put them on in the garage, they must be part of his sales gimmick.

From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole

“They’re gimmicks, and the Supreme Court is not usually impressed by gimmicks.”

From Salon ● May 28, 2026

The three resorts enjoyed expansion and growth throughout the 2010s by utilizing low prices, gimmicks and attractions to lure guests.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 8, 2026

He has it bookmarked, and refers to it during his own process as a reminder not to get carried away with fancy gimmicks.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 1, 2026

This Italy team won't need any such gimmicks.

From BBC ● Mar. 6, 2026

Reilly must have smuggled the pirate gimmicks out of the garage the afternoon before.

From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole

Related Words

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