attention seeking - distracting and showing off

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gimmick

gimmick [noun]

something that is not serious or of real value that is used to attract people's attention or interest temporarily, especially to make them buy something

US

/ˈɡɪm.ɪk/

UK

/ˈɡɪm.ɪk/

Usage:

disapproving

Example:

They give away free gifts with children's meals as a sales/marketing gimmick.

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English

gimmick

gim‧mick /ˈɡɪmɪk/ BrE AmE noun [countable] informal
a trick or something unusual that you do to make people notice someone or something – used to show disapproval ⇨ stunt:
advertising gimmicks

Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

gimmick

gim·mick [gimmick gimmicks] [ˈɡɪmɪk] [ˈɡɪmɪk] noun (often disapproving)
an unusual trick or unnecessary device that is intended to attract attention or to persuade people to buy sth
• a promotional/publicity/sales gimmick
• We don't use gimmicks to sell our products.
Derived Word: gimmicky
Word Origin:
1920s (originally US): of unknown origin but possibly an approximate anagram of magic, the original sense being ‘a piece of magicians' apparatus’.
Example Bank:
• The promise of lower taxation may have been just an election gimmick to gain votes.

• a new gimmick to encourage people to go to the cinema

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 4th Edition

gimmick / ˈɡɪm.ɪk / noun [ C ] mainly disapproving

something that is not serious or of real value that is used to attract people's attention or interest temporarily, especially to make them buy something:

a publicity gimmick

They give away free gifts with children's meals as a sales/marketing gimmick.

Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary

gimmick

[gɪ̱mɪk]
gimmicks
N-COUNT (disapproval)
A gimmick is an unusual and unnecessary feature or action whose purpose is to attract attention or publicity.
It is just a public relations gimmick...
The exhibition is informative, up to date, and mercifully free of gimmicks.

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary

Merriam-Webster's Advanced Learner's Dictionary:

gimmick

gim·mick /ˈgɪmɪk/ noun, pl -micks [count] often disapproving : a method or trick that is used to get people's attention or to sell something
• a marketing gimmick [=ploy]
• The proposal to cut taxes was just an election gimmick to win votes.
- gim·micky /ˈgɪmɪki/ adj [more ~; most ~]
• a flashy, gimmicky movie with no real substance