give

Pronunciation: /gɪv/

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Definition of give

verb (past gave /geɪv/; past participle given /ˈgɪv(ə)n/)

1 [with two objects] freely transfer the possession of (something) to (someone):she gave him presents and clothes the cheque given to the jeweller proved worthless [with object]:he gave the papers back
[with object] hand over (an amount) in payment; pay:how much did you give for that?
[with object] used hyperbolically to express how greatly one wants to have or do something:I’d give anything for a cup of tea
[with object] commit or entrust:a baby given into their care by the accident of her birth
[with object] freely set aside or devote for a purpose:all who have given thought to the matter agree [no object]:committees who give so generously of their time and effort
[with object] dated (of a man) sanction the marriage of (his daughter) to someone:he gave her in marriage to a noble
(give oneself to) dated (of a woman) consent to have sexual intercourse with (a man): she was a woman who would not give herself to a man lightly

2 [with two objects] cause or allow (someone or something) to have or experience (something); provide with:you gave me such a fright [with object]:this leaflet gives our opening times
provide (love or other emotional support) to:his parents gave him the encouragement he needed (as adjective giving)he was very giving and supportive
allow (someone) to have (a specified amount of time) for an activity or undertaking:give me a second to bring the car around [with object]:I’ll give you until tomorrow morning
pass on (an illness or infection) to (someone):I hope I don’t give you my cold
pass (a message) to (someone):give my love to all the girls
[usually in imperative] make a connection to allow (someone) to speak to (someone else) on the telephone:give me the police

3 [with object] carry out or perform (a specified action):I gave a bow [with two objects]:he gave the counter a polish
produce (a sound):he gave a gasp
present (an appearance or impression):he gave no sign of life
provide (a party or social meal) as host or hostess:a dinner given in honour of an American diplomat [with two objects]:Kate gave him a leaving party

4 [with object] yield as a product or result:milk is sometimes added to give a richer cheese
(give something off/out/forth) emit odour, vapour, or similar substances:some solvents give off toxic fumes

5 [with object] concede (something) as valid or deserved in respect of (someone):give him his due
allot (a score) to:I gave it five out of ten
(give something for) place a specified value on (something):he never gave anything for French painting
sentence (someone) to (a specified penalty):for the first offence I was given a fine
[with object and complement] (of an umpire or referee) declare whether or not (a player) is out or offside:Gooch was given out, caught behind
adjudicate that (a goal) has been legitimately scored: the referee gave the goal

6 [with object] state or put forward (information or argument):he did not give his name
pledge or offer as a guarantee: [with two objects]:I give you my word
[with two objects, usually with negative] say to (someone) as an excuse or inappropriate answer:don’t give me any of your backchat
deliver (a judgement) authoritatively:I gave my verdict
informal predict that (an activity or relationship) will last no longer than (a specified time):this is a place that will not improve with time—I give it three weeks
[no object] informal tell what one knows:okay, give—what’s that all about?

7 [no object] alter in shape under pressure rather than resist or break:that chair doesn’t give
yield or give way to pressure:the heavy door didn’t give until the fifth push figurativewhen two people who don’t get on are thrust together, something’s got to give
[no object] North American informal concede defeat; surrender:I give!

noun

[mass noun]

capacity to bend or alter in shape under pressure:plastic pots that have enough give to accommodate the vigorous roots
ability to adapt; flexibility:there is no give at all in the British position

Phrases

give oneself airs: act pretentiously or snobbishly.
give and take: mutual concessions and compromises: there has to be give and take on both sides
give as good as one gets: respond with equal force when attacked: her male colleagues do tease her, but she says, ‘I just give as good as I get’
give the game (or show) away: inadvertently reveal something secret: to make sure he didn’t give the game away I gave him a swift kick in the shin under the table
give it to someone: informal scold or punish someone: I’m gonna give it to you like my daddy gave it to me!
give me ——: I prefer or admire ——:give me the mainland any day!
give me a break: informal used to express exasperation, protest, or disbelief: give me a break—I just deliver the stuff
give someone one: British vulgar slang (of a man) have sexual intercourse with a woman.
give or take ——: to within a specified amount:three hundred and fifty years ago, give or take a few; apart from:it’s a process that runs fairly smoothly, give or take the occasional glitch
give rise to: cause to happen:decisions which give rise to arguments
give someone to understand (or believe or know): inform someone in a rather indirect way:I was given to understand that I had been invited
give up the ghost: see ghost.
give someone what for: informal, chiefly British punish or scold someone severely: wait till your father hears you were in trouble—he’ll give you what for
I give you ——: used to present a speaker or entertainer or when making a toast:for your entertainment this evening I give you ... Mister Albert DeNero!
what gives?: informal what’s the news?; what’s happening? (often used as a friendly greeting).

Phrasal Verbs

give someone away
give something away
give in: cease fighting or arguing; admit defeat:he reluctantly gave in to the pressure
give something in: British hand in a completed document to an official or a piece of work to a supervisor.
give on to (or into): British (of a window, door, corridor, etc.) overlook or lead into:a plate glass window gave on to the roof
give out
give something out: distribute or broadcast something:I’ve been giving out leaflets
give over: stop doing something: ‘Give over, will you!’ she shouted; used to express vehement disagreement:I suggested her salary might be £100,000. ‘Give over!’
give up: cease making an effort; admit defeat: he wasn’t the kind of man to give up easily
give it up: [usually in imperative] US informal applaud a performer or entertainer.
give oneself up (or over) to: allow oneself to be taken over by (an emotion or addiction):he gave himself up to pleasure
give someone up
give something up: part with something that one would prefer to keep:she would have given up everything for love; stop doing or consuming something:I’ve decided to give up drinking
give up on: stop having faith or belief in:they weren’t about to give up on their heroes so easily

Origin:

Old English giefan, gefan, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch geven and German geben

give in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of give in the US English dictionary

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Other

verb (past gave /geɪv/; past participle given /ˈgɪv(ə)n/)

noun

Phrases

give oneself airs

give and take

give as good as one gets

give the game (or show) away

give it to someone

give me ——

give me a break

give someone one

give or take ——

give rise to

give someone to understand (or believe or know)

give up the ghost

give someone what for

I give you ——

what gives?

Phrasal Verbs

give someone away

give something away

give in

give something in

give on to (or into)

give out

give something out

give over

give up

give it up

give oneself up (or over) to

give someone up

give something up

give up on

Origin:

give in other Oxford dictionaries

Nearby words

More results for give

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