Gimmick

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈɡɪm.ɪk/
• Rhymes: -ɪmɪk

Alternative forms

• gimmic

Origin

Unknown.

Full definition of gimmick

Noun

1. A trick or device used to reach some end.The box had a gimmick to make the coin appear to vanish.
• April 19 2002, Scott Tobias, AV Club Fightvillehttp://www.avclub.com/articles/fightville,72589/Epperlein and Tucker focus on two featherweight hopefuls: Dustin Poirier, a formidable contender who’s looking to parlay a history of schoolyard violence and street-fighting into a potential career, and Albert Stainback, a more thoughtful yet more erratic and undisciplined fighter whose chief gimmick is entering the ring wearing a hat like the one Malcolm McDowell wore in A Clockwork Orange.
2. A clever ploy or strategy.The contest was a gimmick to get people to sign up for their mailing list.

Derived terms

• gimmicky
• gimmickry

Verb

1. To rig or set up with a trick or device.The magician's box was gimmicked with a wire that made it appear to open on its own.