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Definition of gimmickry

gimmickry

/ˈɡɪm.ɪk.ri/
gim · mick · ry
Adjective:gimmicky
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gimmickry Lexical Profile

gimmickry Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The use of clever, superficial, or flashy tricks and devices to attract attention or publicity, often at the expense of genuine substance.

Example

"Critics praised the director for relying on strong storytelling rather than visual gimmickry."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for gimmickry

• Nearby Words

gimlet
gimme
gimmick
gimmickry
gimmicky
gimp
gimpy

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in mid-20th-century American English from "gimmick" plus the noun suffix "-ry"; "gimmick" itself originated in the 1920s as carnival and magician slang for a secret mechanical device used to rig a game or perform a trick, possibly as an anagram of "magic."

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Gimmickry. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/gimmickry
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