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give [ giv ] (past gave [ gayv ], past participle giv·en [ gívvən ], present participle giv·ing, 3rd person present singular gives) CORE MEANING: a verb used to indicate that somebody presents or delivers something that he or she owns to another person to keep or use
  He gave Brian $800 with the understanding he would pay the rest at a later date.
The program would give education grants to people who do community service.
My mother gave me this cardigan for Christmas.
What will you give me for the car?
When we arrived they gave us badges with our names on them. |
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1. transitive verb pass something to somebody: to place something that you are holding in the temporary possession of another person
Could you give me the phone?
He gave her the umbrella while he searched in his pockets for change.
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2. transitive verb grant something to somebody: to allow somebody to have something such as power or a right
Opponents of the bill claimed it gave too much power to the mine owners.
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3. transitive verb communicate something: to impart or convey something such as information, advice, or opinions to somebody
Give them my love.
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4. transitive verb convey something: to cause somebody to have an idea or impression
Whatever gave you that idea?
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5. transitive verb impart something: to make somebody experience a particular physical or emotional feeling
She said the steady paycheck gave her a sense of security.
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6. transitive verb perform something: to carry out or perform something in public
Not one of these actors gave a performance that was worthy of the prize.
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7. transitive verb make or do something: used with nouns referring to physical actions to indicate that the action is being made or done
She gave Paul a quick, accusing glance.
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8. transitive verb provide service: to perform an action or service for somebody
He gave her a foot massage to relax her.
The guide gave us a tour of the ruins.
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9. transitive verb devote something: to devote or sacrifice something such as time or effort
He gave his whole life to helping children in need.
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10. transitive verb organize something: to organize a social event
They gave a party in her honor when she returned from the expedition.
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11. transitive verb cause to believe something: to lead somebody to have a particular understanding about something
I was given to understand that they had left.
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12. transitive verb value something: to estimate something at a particular amount or value
What do you give for his chances of getting her back?
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13. intransitive verb yield: to collapse or break under pressure
The wheel gave under the heavy load.
When people are under constant pressure from work and home, something has to give.
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14. transitive verb concede something: to yield to somebody's opinion, or admit that somebody has an advantage or a specific characteristic or ability
You're not a coward, I'll give you that.
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15. transitive verb toast somebody: to propose a toast to somebody
I give you the bride and groom!
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16. transitive verb introduce somebody: to present or introduce somebody such as a performer or speaker to an audience
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you the Grand Panjandrum!
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17. noun resilience: the ability or tendency to yield under pressure
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| [ Old English giefan< Indo-European] |
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| giv·er noun |
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give me... I'd rather do or have... (informal)
Give me a quiet evening with a book any time.
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give or take used to indicate that a figure given is fairly accurate, within the stated range
worth about half a million, give or take a few thousand dollars
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| Word Key: Synonyms |
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give, present, confer, bestow, donate, grant
CORE MEANING: to hand over something to somebody
give to place something that you are holding in the temporary possession of another person;
I gave her my key.
present to give something in a formal or ceremonial way;
He was presented with a consolation prize.
confer (formal) to give something such as a title, honor, or favor to somebody;
Several other honorary degrees were conferred at the ceremony.
bestow (formal) to present something, especially something valuable or undeserved, to somebody;
The award for lifetime achievement was bestowed on her not long before she died.
donate to give a contribution to a charitable organization or other good cause, or, in a medical context, to give blood for blood transfusions or organs for transplant;
The painting was donated to the gallery by the artist's widow.
grant to agree to allow a request, favor, or privilege, or formally or officially to give money or property;
We were granted the right to appeal. |
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