give
1 of 2verb
ˈgiv 
gave ˈgāv ; given ˈgi-vən ; giving
; given ˈgi-vən ; giving transitive verb
1
: to make a present of
give a doll to a child
2
a
: to grant or bestow by formal action
the law gives citizens the right to vote
b
: to accord or yield to another
gave him her confidence
3
a
: to put into the possession of another for his or her use
gave me his phone number
b(1)
: to administer as a sacrament
(2)
: to administer as a medicine
c
: to commit to another as a trust or responsibility and usually for an expressed reason
d
: to transfer from one's authority or custody
the sheriff gave the prisoner to the warden
e
: to execute and deliver
all employees must give bond
f
: to convey to another
give them my regards
4
a
: to offer to the action of another : proffer
gave her his hand
b
dated, of a woman : to yield (oneself) to a man in sexual intercourse
5
a
: to present in public performance
give a concert
b
: to present to view or observation
gave the signal to start
6
: to provide by way of entertainment
give a party
7
: to propose as a toast
8
a
: to designate as a share or portion : allot
all the earth to thee and to thy race I give—
John Milton
John Milton b
: to make assignment of (a name)
c
: to set forth as an actual or hypothetical datum
give the dimensions of the room
d
: to attribute in thought or utterance : ascribe
gave the credit to you
9
a
: to yield as a product, consequence, or effect : produce
cows give milk
84 divided by 12 gives 7
b
: to bring forth : bear
10
a
: to yield possession of by way of exchange : pay
b
: to dispose of for a price : sell
11
a
: to deliver by some bodily action
gave him a push
b
: to carry out (a movement, facial expression, etc.)
gave a cynical smile
c
: to inflict as punishment
d
: to award by formal verdict
judgment was given against the plaintiff
12
: to offer for consideration, acceptance, or use
gives no reason for his absence
13
a
: to suffer the loss of : sacrifice
gallantly gave his life for his country
b
: to offer as appropriate or due especially to something higher or more worthy
gave his spirit to God
c
: to apply freely or fully : devote
gave themselves to their work
d
: to offer as a pledge
I give you my word
14
a
: to cause one to have or receive
mountains always gave him pleasure
b
: to cause a person to catch by contagion, infection, or exposure
15
a
: to allow one to have or take
give me time
b
: to lead or attempt to lead —used with an infinitive
you gave me to understand you'd be late
16
: to care to the extent of
didn't give a hoot
intransitive verb
1
: to make gifts or presents
gave generously to charities
2
a
: to yield to physical force or strain
b
: to collapse from the application of force or pressure
The canvas chair gave under her weight.
c
: to undergo or submit to change
for the strike to be settled, something has to give
3
: to afford a view or passage : open
the window gives onto the terrace
4
: to enter wholeheartedly into an activity
5
slang : to be happening
wants to know what gives
give
2 of 2noun
1
: capacity or tendency to yield to force or strain : flexibility
2
: the ability of a material to bend or stretch
The knitted fabric has a lot of give to it.
Synonyms
Verb
- bestow
- contribute
- donate
- give away
- present
- volunteer
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb She gave him a camera for Christmas. Are you giving this to me or only lending it? She has given money to many worthy causes. They're asking people to give money for a new hospital. Please give to our charity. We already gave at the office. It is better to give than to receive. He gave me the letter. He gave her his coat to hold. He gave me a head start. See More
Recent Examples on the WebRebecca Santana, Fortune, 20 Feb. 2023 There appears to be no truth that Biden offered to give Major to the Trumps. —Nick Thomas, Hartford Courant, 20 Feb. 2023 But her departure will effectively transform the FTC into a single-administrator agency and give Ms. Khan free rein. —WSJ, 20 Feb. 2023 Ali will continue to see time at the 4, but his improved inside-outside game should give Matta several potential lineup combinations moving forward. —Akeem Glaspie, The Indianapolis Star, 20 Feb. 2023 The education savings account would give parents 90% of what schools are funded on a per-student basis, Oliva said at the time. —Michael R. Wickline, Arkansas Online, 19 Feb. 2023 All of Pocan's co-sponsors are Democrats, which give them little sway with McCarthy, R-Calif. —David Bauder, ajc, 19 Feb. 2023 This boutique electric truck brand's vehicles give new meaning to the term boxy. —Brett Berk, Good Housekeeping, 17 Feb. 2023 It's made with herbal ingredients, like chamomile and sage, and will give you a new look in under an hour. —Jenna Clark, Women's Health, 17 Feb. 2023 Samantha Vincenty, SELF, 27 Jan. 2023 There is also a tendency to reduce the rise of the religious right as a political force to an ongoing, perfectly static culture war that takes place across policy positions on specific issues within the natural give and take of a democracy. —Katherine Stewart, The New Republic, 23 Jan. 2023 But party reporting is a conversation, a verbal give and take — unlike, say, a feature interview of a lead actor. —Sarah Bahr, New York Times, 9 Dec. 2022 To help maintain the shape, this sectional has a tightly upholstered back constructed of a resilient foam topped with fiber filling for a little give when seated. —Kristina Mcguirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Sep. 2022 Further, negotiations are inherently a give and take. —Kristin Mckenna, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2023 In terms of comfort, the Co-op Flexlite Air Chair has the perfect amount of give. —Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 9 Feb. 2023 Take this option, which is made of soft, jersey-knit with just the right amount of give. —Brad Lanphear, Men's Health, 6 Jan. 2023 The plastic stems have a bit of give to make connective easy, and the structure is strong enough to cover with a lightweight blanket for a hideout. —Rachel Klein, Popular Mechanics, 13 Dec. 2022 See More
Verb
But sometimes they’re allowed to give the gun to a companion not flying with them and continue on their way. —Rebecca Santana, Fortune, 20 Feb. 2023 There appears to be no truth that Biden offered to give Major to the Trumps. —Nick Thomas, Hartford Courant, 20 Feb. 2023 But her departure will effectively transform the FTC into a single-administrator agency and give Ms. Khan free rein. —WSJ, 20 Feb. 2023 Ali will continue to see time at the 4, but his improved inside-outside game should give Matta several potential lineup combinations moving forward. —Akeem Glaspie, The Indianapolis Star, 20 Feb. 2023 The education savings account would give parents 90% of what schools are funded on a per-student basis, Oliva said at the time. —Michael R. Wickline, Arkansas Online, 19 Feb. 2023 All of Pocan's co-sponsors are Democrats, which give them little sway with McCarthy, R-Calif. —David Bauder, ajc, 19 Feb. 2023 This boutique electric truck brand's vehicles give new meaning to the term boxy. —Brett Berk, Good Housekeeping, 17 Feb. 2023 It's made with herbal ingredients, like chamomile and sage, and will give you a new look in under an hour. —Jenna Clark, Women's Health, 17 Feb. 2023 Noun
The give and take of reciprocity will ebb and flow in a healthy bond, as will interdependence (being emotionally in sync and mutually supportive). —Samantha Vincenty, SELF, 27 Jan. 2023 There is also a tendency to reduce the rise of the religious right as a political force to an ongoing, perfectly static culture war that takes place across policy positions on specific issues within the natural give and take of a democracy. —Katherine Stewart, The New Republic, 23 Jan. 2023 But party reporting is a conversation, a verbal give and take — unlike, say, a feature interview of a lead actor. —Sarah Bahr, New York Times, 9 Dec. 2022 To help maintain the shape, this sectional has a tightly upholstered back constructed of a resilient foam topped with fiber filling for a little give when seated. —Kristina Mcguirk, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 Sep. 2022 Further, negotiations are inherently a give and take. —Kristin Mckenna, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2023 In terms of comfort, the Co-op Flexlite Air Chair has the perfect amount of give. —Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 9 Feb. 2023 Take this option, which is made of soft, jersey-knit with just the right amount of give. —Brad Lanphear, Men's Health, 6 Jan. 2023 The plastic stems have a bit of give to make connective easy, and the structure is strong enough to cover with a lightweight blanket for a hideout. —Rachel Klein, Popular Mechanics, 13 Dec. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Verb
Middle English, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Swedish giva to give; akin to Old English giefan, gifan to give, and perhaps to Latin habēre to have, hold
Noun
derivative of give entry 1
First Known Use
Verb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Noun
1868, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing give
Kids Definition
give
1 of 2 verb ˈgiv
gave ˈgāv ; given ˈgiv-ən ; giving
; given ˈgiv-ən ; giving 1
: to make a present of
gave me a book
2
a
: grant entry 1 sense 2, bestow
b
: to make a donation
give blood
we already gave at the office
c
: to grant or yield to another
gave her trust to her friend
3
a
: to put into the possession or keeping of another
give me the letter to mail
b
: to offer to another : proffer
gave his hand to the visitor
c
: pay entry 1 sense 1
wouldn't give a penny for that bike
4
a
: to present in public performance
give a concert
b
: to present to view
gave the signal to start
5
: to provide by way of entertainment
give a party
6
: to point out or set aside as a share or portion
gave their daughter half of their estate
7
: to indicate the source or cause of
gave all the glory to her mother
8
: to form, make, or yield as a product or result
cows give milk
84 divided by 12 gives 7
9
a
: to deliver by some bodily action
gave me a push
b
: to carry out a movement : perform
gave a sudden leap
c
: pronounce sense 1
give judgment
10
: to offer for consideration or acceptance
gives no reason for his absence
11
: to apply fully : devote
gave herself to the cause
12
: to cause to have
gave pleasure to the reader
13
: to yield or collapse under force or pressure
the box gave under his foot
giver noun
give
2 of 2 noun1
: tendency to yield to force or strain
2
: the quality or state of being springy
Medical Definition
give
transitive verb ˈgiv
gave ˈgāv ; given ˈgiv-ən ; giving
; given ˈgiv-ən ; giving 1
: to administer as a medicine
2
: to cause a person to catch by contagion, infection, or exposure
Legal Definition
give
transitive verb gave; given; giving
1
a
: to make a gift of
I give the remainder of my estate to my wife
compare convey, sell b
: to grant or bestow by formal action
the law gives citizens the right to vote
2
a
: to transfer from one's authority or custody
the sheriff gave the prisoner to the warden
b
: to execute and deliver
all officers must give bond
c
: to communicate or impart to another
failed to give adequate notice
d
: to offer or submit for the consideration of another
give testimony in court
3
: to yield possession of by way of exchange
4
a
: to impose as punishment
b
: to award by formal verdict
judgment was given against the plaintiff
giver noun
give ground
phrase
as in withdraw
to move back or away (as from something difficult, dangerous, or disagreeable) There is wildlife in the area, so give ground if you see any when hiking. Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- withdraw
- retreat
- lose ground
- give way
- pull out
- fall back
- drop back
- retire
- back away
- recede
- flee
- evacuate
- fly
- bow out
- leave
- pull away
- back down
- shrink
- recoil
- climb down
- flinch
- detach
- go
- depart
- backtrack
- abandon
- vacate
- chicken (out)
- disengage
- backpedal
- disentangle
- quit
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- advance
- face
- confront
- breast
- dare
- brave
- defy
- outbrave
- beard
- brazen