Definition

1. Noun:

   • The act of bestowing or presenting something to someone: "giving" refers to the action of voluntarily transferring possession of something to another person without expecting an equivalent payment in return.
   • The act of providing or supplying something: It can also mean the act of imparting, providing, or administering something, such as information, promises, or care.

2. Adjective:

   • Generous, liberal in giving: Describes a person who is characterized by a generous, unselfish, or charitable nature, often giving freely of their time, money, or affection.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The university's annual giving supports student scholarships. (The act of donating money each year provides funds for scholarships.)
  • His giving of the news was gentle and considerate. (The way he imparted the news was done kindly.)
  • The act of giving can be more rewarding than receiving. (The action of bestowing gifts often brings more personal satisfaction than getting them.)

• Adjective:

  • She has a very giving nature, always volunteering to help others. (She possesses a character that is naturally generous and helpful.)
  • He was known as a giving and openhanded friend. (He had a reputation for being a generous and liberal friend.)

Advanced Usage

• "In the giving": in the act of giving or bestowing.
  • True joy is found in the giving, not just in the gift itself. (Genuine happiness is located in the act of bestowing, not merely in the object given.)

Variants and Related Words

• Give (verb): To freely transfer the possession of something to someone; to cause or allow someone to have something.
• Giver (noun): A person who gives something.
• Given (adjective): Specified or stated.

Synonyms

• Noun: Bestowal, donation, presentation, imparting, conferral.
• Adjective: Generous, charitable, liberal, openhanded, bountiful, munificent.

Related Phrases

• Giving back: Returning something, often used to mean contributing to the community or society as a form of repayment or charity.
  • After his success, he focused on giving back to his hometown.
• Giving in: Yielding or surrendering.
  • After a long argument, he finally gave in to their demands.
• Giving out:
  • Distributing something.

    • They were giving out free samples at the store.
  • Ceasing to function; breaking down.

    • The old engine finally gave out.
• Giving up: Surrendering; quitting; abandoning an effort or possession.
  • She refused to give up on her dream.

Related Idioms

• To be giving someone the cold shoulder: To intentionally ignore someone or treat them in an unfriendly way.
• To be giving it one's all: To be trying as hard as one possibly can.
  • In the final match, the team was giving it their all.

Adjective

1. given or giving freely
   • was a big tipper
   • the bounteous goodness of God
   • bountiful compliments
   • a freehanded host
   • a handsome allowance
   • Saturday's child is loving and giving
   • a liberal backer of the arts
   • a munificent gift
   • her fond and openhanded grandfather

Noun

1. disposing of property by voluntary transfer without receiving value in return
   • the alumni followed a program of annual giving
2. the imparting of news or promises etc.
   • he gave us the news and made a great show of the giving
   • giving his word of honor seemed to come too easily
3. the act of giving