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
John Mariani, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
Tech evangelists may still believe in the transformative power of an ongoing AI revolution, but for everyone else, the gimmick is starting to leave a bitter taste.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2024
Daron Acemoglu, Fortune, 6 Aug. 2024
Depending on the precise circumstances under which the United Kingdom leaves the EU, nationalists or unionists will be in a far stronger position to gimmick the long-term odds in their favor.
—Henry Farrell, Foreign Affairs, 29 Mar. 2018
See all Example Sentences for gimmick 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Is this possible under the laws or just a marketing gimmick?
—John Mariani, Forbes, 20 Nov. 2024
Tech evangelists may still believe in the transformative power of an ongoing AI revolution, but for everyone else, the gimmick is starting to leave a bitter taste.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2024
Verb
But this requires much more reliable AI models—not gimmicks such as large language models that can write Shakespearean sonnets.
—Daron Acemoglu, Fortune, 6 Aug. 2024
Depending on the precise circumstances under which the United Kingdom leaves the EU, nationalists or unionists will be in a far stronger position to gimmick the long-term odds in their favor.
—Henry Farrell, Foreign Affairs, 29 Mar. 2018
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 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share