Definition

1. Verb:
   • To transfer possession of something to someone without payment; to present as a gift: The core meaning involves voluntarily handing something over to another person.
   • To cause or allow someone to have or experience something: This can be abstract (like an opportunity) or physical (like a sensation).
   • To perform an action or produce a sound, often associated with a specific noun: Used with another noun to form a verbal phrase (e.g., give a smile, give a speech).
   • To yield under pressure; to be flexible or elastic: To bend, stretch, or collapse.
   • To devote or apply oneself to something: To dedicate time, effort, or resources.

Examples of Usage

• Verb (Transfer possession):
  • She will give the book to her friend.
  • They gave a large donation to the charity.
• Verb (Cause to have/experience):
  • The news gave her hope.
  • This lamp gives a warm light.
• Verb (Perform an action):
  • He gave a long sigh.
  • Please give your answer now.
• Verb (Yield under pressure):
  • The old floorboards gave under his weight.
  • A good rope should not give too much.
• Verb (Devote/apply):
  • He gave his full attention to the problem.

Advanced Usage

• "Give way":
  • To yield, retreat, or collapse.

    • The old bridge finally gave way.
    • You must give way to traffic on the main road.
• "Give rise to":
  • To cause something to happen or exist.

    • The new policy gave rise to many complaints.
• "Give it a go" / "Give it a try":
  • To attempt something.

    • I've never tried skiing before, but I'll give it a go.
• "Give and take":
  • Compromise; mutual concession.

    • A successful relationship requires some give and take.

Variants and Related Words

• Giver (n): A person who gives something.
  • She is a generous giver to local causes.
• Given (adj / prep): Specified or stated; considering.
  • They must finish by a given time.
  • Given the circumstances, we did well.
• Giving (adj): Providing love or other emotional support; generous.
  • She has a very giving nature.

Synonyms

• Provide: To make something available.
• Grant: To agree to give or allow something requested.
• Offer: To present something for acceptance or rejection.
• Bestow: To confer or present (an honor, gift).
• Yield: To produce or provide; to give way.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Give away:
  • To give something for free; to reveal a secret.

    • They are giving away samples at the store.
    • His expression gave away his true feelings.
• Give back:
  • To return something to its owner.

    • Please give back the pen you borrowed.
• Give in:
  • To surrender, yield, or cease opposition.

    • After hours of arguing, he finally gave in.
• Give off:
  • To emit or produce something (like heat, light, or a smell).

    • The flowers give off a lovely scent.
• Give out:
  • To distribute; to stop functioning.

    • The teacher gave out the test papers.
    • The car's engine gave out on the highway.
• Give up:
  • To stop doing or having something; to surrender.

    • He decided to give up smoking.
    • The fugitive finally gave himself up to the police.

Related Idioms

• Give someone a hand:
  • To help someone or to applaud.

    • Can you give me a hand with this box?
    • Let's give the performer a hand.
• Give someone the benefit of the doubt:
  • To believe someone's statement, without proof, when there is doubt.

    • I'm not sure he's telling the truth, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt.
• Give someone the cold shoulder:
  • To ignore someone or treat them in an unfriendly way.

    • After the argument, she gave him the cold shoulder.
• Give it your best shot:
  • To try as hard as you can.

    • You might not win, but just give it your best shot.
• What gives?:
  • An informal expression asking what is happening or what the problem is.

    • You're all staring at me. What gives?

Noun

1. the elasticity of something that can be stretched and returns to its original length

Verb

1. proffer (a body part)
   • She gave her hand to her little sister
2. consent to engage in sexual intercourse with a man
   • She gave herself to many men
3. occur
   • what gives?
4. inflict as a punishment
   • She gave the boy a good spanking
   • The judge gave me 10 years
5. allow to have or take
   • I give you two minutes to respond
6. guide or direct, as by behavior of persuasion
   • You gave me to think that you agreed with me
7. submit for consideration, judgment, or use
   • give one's opinion
   • give an excuse
8. offer in good faith
   • He gave her his word
9. manifest or show
   • This student gives promise of real creativity
   • The office gave evidence of tampering
10. accord by verdict
    • give a decision for the plaintiff
11. propose
    • He gave the first of many toasts at the birthday party
12. be flexible under stress of physical force
    • This material doesn't give
13. perform for an audience
    • Pollini is giving another concert in New York
14. present to view
    • He gave the sign to start
15. afford access to
    • the door opens to the patio
    • The French doors give onto a terrace
16. deliver in exchange or recompense
    • I'll give you three books for four CDs
17. execute and deliver
    • Give bond
18. estimate the duration or outcome of something
    • He gave the patient three months to live
    • I gave him a very good chance at success
19. break down, literally or metaphorically
    • The wall collapsed
    • The business collapsed
    • The dam broke
    • The roof collapsed
    • The wall gave in
    • The roof finally gave under the weight of the ice
20. contribute to some cause
    • I gave at the office
21. give food to
    • Feed the starving children in India
    • don't give the child this tough meat
22. move in order to make room for someone for something
    • The park gave way to a supermarket
    • `Move over,' he told the crowd
23. bestow, especially officially
    • grant a degree
    • give a divorce
    • This bill grants us new rights
24. bestow
    • give homage
    • render thanks
25. give or convey physically
    • She gave him First Aid
    • I gave him a punch in the nose
26. give (as medicine)
    • I gave him the drug
27. give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause
    • She committed herself to the work of God
    • give one's talents to a good cause
    • consecrate your life to the church
28. place into the hands or custody of
    • hand me the spoon, please
    • Turn the files over to me, please
    • He turned over the prisoner to his lawyers
29. endure the loss of
    • He gave his life for his children
    • I gave two sons to the war
30. emit or utter
    • Give a gulp
    • give a yelp
31. leave with; give temporarily
    • Can I give you my keys while I go in the pool?
    • Can I give you the children for the weekend?
32. bring about
    • The trompe l'oeil-illusion establishes depth
33. transmit (knowledge or skills)
    • give a secret to the Russians
    • leave your name and address here
    • impart a new skill to the students
34. give or supply
    • The cow brings in 5 liters of milk
    • This year's crop yielded 1,000 bushels of corn
    • The estate renders some revenue for the family
35. dedicate
    • give thought to
    • give priority to
    • pay attention to
36. cause to happen or be responsible for
    • His two singles gave the team the victory
37. give as a present; make a gift of
    • What will you give her for her birthday?
38. convey or communicate; of a smile, a look, a physical gesture
    • Throw a glance
    • She gave me a dirty look
39. organize or be responsible for
    • hold a reception
    • have, throw, or make a party
    • give a course
40. convey, as of a compliment, regards, attention, etc.; bestow
    • Don't pay him any mind
    • give the orders
    • Give him my best regards
    • pay attention
41. convey or reveal information
    • Give one's name
42. transfer possession of something concrete or abstract to somebody
    • I gave her my money
    • can you give me lessons?
    • She gave the children lots of love and tender loving care
43. be the cause or source of
    • He gave me a lot of trouble
    • Our meeting afforded much interesting information
44. cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense
    • She gave him a black eye
    • The draft gave me a cold