1
a
: a mechanical device for secretly and dishonestly controlling gambling apparatus
b
: an ingenious or novel mechanical device : gadget
2
a
: an important feature that is not immediately apparent : catch
… few readers would look for a gimmick in an advertisement featuring airline schedules, but few would fail to look for the fine print in an ad announcing New Low-Price Fares.—
Robert L. Heilbroner
Robert L. Heilbroner
b
: an ingenious and usually new scheme or angle
Even in professional careers, mere competence and craftsmanship is no substitute for a gimmick.—James Poniewozik
James Poniewozik
c
: a trick or device used to attract business or attention
a marketing gimmick
gimmicked; gimmicking; gimmicks
Synonyms
Examples of gimmick in a Sentence
Noun
The proposal to cut taxes was just an election gimmick to win votes.
that free dinner is just a sales gimmick to get you to listen to their sales pitch
Recent Examples on the Web
Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 15 Dec. 2024
On the Calculation of Volume’s premise could, in other hands, be reduced to a gimmick.
—Rhian Sasseen, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2024
Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
Batman and his rogues' gallery are more focused on hand-to-hand combat and gimmicks like laughing gas.
—Christian Holub, EW.com, 11 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for gimmick 
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Noun
Rather than hide the problem with gimmicks such as the school dashboard, California should own up to it and embrace successful examples such as those in Tahoe and Grass Valley.
—Dan Walters, The Mercury News, 15 Dec. 2024
On the Calculation of Volume’s premise could, in other hands, be reduced to a gimmick.
—Rhian Sasseen, The Atlantic, 12 Dec. 2024
Verb
The skill ceiling relies solely on game sense, not gimmicks like parkour moves or crafting.
—Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024
Batman and his rogues' gallery are more focused on hand-to-hand combat and gimmicks like laughing gas.
—Christian Holub, EW.com, 11 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for gimmick
Dictionary Entries Near gimmick
Cite this Entry
“Gimmick.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gimmick. Accessed 29 Dec. 2024.
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