gimmick
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.
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.
to resort to gimmickry, especially habitually.
Origin of gimmick
1Other words for gimmick
Other words from gimmick
- gim·mick·er, noun
- gim·mick·y, adjective
- un·gim·mick·y, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use gimmick in a sentence
Well known for his gimmicks, Daylyt entered the stage in a Spawn costume that could stop traffic at Comic Con.
Discoverable by clicking around or typing commands, these hidden features included entire new cartoons, or even simple gimmicks.
Homestar Runner, Trogdor the Burninator, and the Birth of the Internet | Rich Goldstein | April 22, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTBut how do these trends, gimmicks, and shenanigans affect the story of Easter?
Can’t Fill the House On Easter? Try Handing Out Gadgets | Matthew Paul Turner | April 20, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTHe describes Sherman as a grandstander who prefers “gimmicks” to concrete achievements.
Two Jews, One Congressional Seat: Howard Berman vs. Brad Sherman | Andrew Murr | June 3, 2012 | THE DAILY BEASTLabour leader Ed Miliband has spoken of “knee-jerk gimmicks rushed out without real thought.”
The gimmicks whereby the women had rejected Earth and left it to wither and die in neglect and bitter, bitter wonderment.
Thy Name Is Woman | Bryce WaltonThen their sets came on and there she was telling them that all their gold gimmicks were no good any more.
Evil Out of Onzar | Mark Ganes
British Dictionary definitions for gimmick
/ (ˈɡɪmɪk) /
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
Origin of gimmick
1Derived forms of gimmick
- gimmickry, noun
- gimmicky, adjective
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
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