gimcrack: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (Low Frequency)Formal, Literary, Derogatory
Quick answer
What does “gimcrack” mean?
A cheap, showy, poorly constructed object designed to look more valuable than it is.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A cheap, showy, poorly constructed object designed to look more valuable than it is; something tacky and insubstantial.
A derogatory term for anything considered flimsy, tasteless, and lacking genuine worth, often applied to ideas, policies, or art seen as superficial or meretricious.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Used in both varieties with identical meaning. No significant lexical or grammatical differences.
Connotations
Slightly more archaic/literary in modern American English; retains a touch of old-fashioned scorn in British English.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both, but may be marginally more recognized in British English due to historical usage.
Grammar
How to Use “gimcrack” in a Sentence
[Adj] gimcrack [N][Det] gimcrackbe [Adj] (and) gimcrackVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gimcrack” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The seafront was lined with gimcrack amusement arcades and cheap cafes.
- He furnished his flat with gimcrack furniture from a catalogue.
American English
- The developer built a row of gimcrack townhouses that began to sag within a year.
- She rejected the gimcrack trophy, wanting something more substantial.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Could critique cheap, short-lived market trends or poorly made products: 'The company abandoned its gimcrack marketing strategy.'
Academic
Rare, used in critical analysis of culture, art, or architecture: 'The critic dismissed the exhibition as gimcrack postmodernism.'
Everyday
Very rare in spoken English. Might be used humorously or pointedly about decor or gifts: 'Those souvenir magnets are pure gimcrack.'
Technical
Not used.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gimcrack”
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'to gimcrack something').
- Confusing it with 'gewgaw' (a synonym).
- Misspelling as 'gimcrak' or 'gim-crack'.
- Overusing; it's a low-frequency, specific term.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is considered somewhat archaic or literary, though it is still understood and used for deliberate, often scornful, effect.
Yes, it can be applied metaphorically to describe theories, arguments, or styles that are superficially attractive but lack substance or integrity.
Its etymology is uncertain. It appeared in the 17th century, possibly an alteration of 'gibecrake', an obsolete term for a showy trinket.
They are closely related. 'Kitsch' often refers to art or objects that are sentimentally or aesthetically vulgar, sometimes ironically appreciated. 'Gimcrack' is more purely derogatory, emphasizing cheap construction and deceptive flashiness without the potential for ironic enjoyment.
A cheap, showy, poorly constructed object designed to look more valuable than it is.
Gimcrack is usually formal, literary, derogatory in register.
Gimcrack: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdʒɪmkræk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdʒɪmˌkræk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(as) gimcrack as a fairground prize”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'GIMme CRACKed' junk – something you'd get for free that's already broken and worthless.
Conceptual Metaphor
WORTHLESSNESS IS SHALLOW DECORATION / SUBSTANCE IS SOLID, TRIVIALITY IS BRITTLE.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'gimcrack' used correctly?