gimmick
A gimmick is a clever trick or idea used to attract attention or interest. It's often something flashy and attention-grabbing.
You might hear people talk about a new restaurant using a gimmick like a giant slide from their second floor to get customers excited and take some cool Instagram photos. Or, a company might create a limited-time offer with a gimmick that says "buy one get one free" just for the weekend to draw in more customers. Sometimes, a product's packaging or design is used as a gimmick to make it stand out on store shelves. The point of a gimmick is usually to get people talking and increase sales, even if it might not be something you'd actually use or keep once the initial excitement wears off.
How common is "gimmick"?
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
noun
A trick or device used to attain some end.
Example: The box had a gimmick to make the coin appear to vanish.
verb
To rig or set up with a trick or device.
Example: The magician's box was gimmicked with a wire that made it appear to open on its own.
Real examples of "gimmick" in context
