Definition

1. Noun:

   • A thing given willingly to someone without payment; a present: An item or benefit voluntarily transferred to another person, typically to mark a special occasion or show affection.
   • A natural ability or talent: An innate aptitude or skill for a particular activity.
   • The act of giving something as a present: The action or process of bestowing a gift.

2. Verb:

   • To give something as a gift, especially formally or as a present: To bestow something upon someone without expecting payment.
   • To endow someone with (an ability or quality): To provide someone with a natural talent or attribute.

Usage Examples

• Noun (as a present):
  • She received many beautiful gifts for her wedding.
  • The company gave a gift to all its employees.
• Noun (as a natural ability):
  • He has a real gift for languages and learns them quickly.
  • Her artistic gift was evident from a young age.
• Verb (to give a present):
  • They gifted a large sum of money to the charity.
  • He gifted her a book for her graduation.
• Verb (to endow with an ability):
  • Nature has gifted her with a beautiful singing voice.
  • He is gifted with remarkable patience.

Advanced Usage

• "The gift of gab": The natural ability to speak easily and persuasively.
  • As a salesman, his gift of gab is his greatest asset.
• "To look a gift horse in the mouth": To be critical or ungrateful for a gift or opportunity one has received.
  • The scholarship isn't from your first-choice university, but don't look a gift horse in the mouth.
• "God's gift to [something]" (often ironic): Used to describe someone who has a very high opinion of their own importance or talent in a particular area.
  • He acts like he's God's gift to the finance department.

Variants and Related Words

• Gifted (adj.): Having exceptional talent or natural ability.
  • She is a gifted musician.
• Gifting (n.): The act of giving gifts.
  • The holiday season is a time for gifting.
• Giftable (adj.): Suitable to be given as a gift.
  • The store has a section of giftable items under $20.

Synonyms

• Noun (present): Present, donation, offering, bounty.
• Noun (talent): Talent, aptitude, flair, knack, bent.
• Verb (to give): Give, present, bestow, donate, confer.

Related Phrases and Phrasal Verbs

• Gift (something) to (someone): To formally give something as a gift.
  • She gifted her entire art collection to the museum.
• Gift (someone) with (something): To provide someone with a gift or quality.
  • He gifted the school with a new library.

Related Idioms

• A gift from the gods: Something very beneficial that arrives unexpectedly.
  • The sudden rain was a gift from the gods for the parched farmland.
• The gift that keeps on giving: Something that continues to provide benefits or cause problems over a long period.
  • That faulty wiring is the gift that keeps on giving; we have a new electrical issue every month.

Noun

1. the act of giving
2. natural abilities or qualities
3. something acquired without compensation

Verb

1. give as a present; make a gift of
   • What will you give her for her birthday?
2. give qualities or abilities to