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Definition give in American English

give verb

verb
/ɡɪv/
1

to put something in someone's hand, or to pass something to someone

Example

Could you give me that pen?

Example

She gave the flowers to me to hold.

Synonyms and related words
1.1

to let someone have or keep something as a present

Example

We don't know what to give Dad for Christmas.

Synonyms and related words
1.2

to do something good or helpful for someone

Example

a relationship where one partner gives more than the other

Example

Aid will be given to areas hardest hit by the flooding.

Example

Thanks for all the support you've given us.

Synonyms and related words
2

to make someone the owner of something that you owned

Example

Will the new tax laws make people give the government more of their property?

Example

There are tax advantages if you give the house to your children.

Synonyms and related words
3

to put medicine into someone's body using a particular method

Example

Can't you give her anything for the pain?

Example

The drug is normally given by injection.

Synonyms and related words
4

to cause a general result or effect

Example

The removal of trade restrictions could give the economy a substantial boost.

Synonyms and related words
4.1

to make someone feel or experience something

Example

These stories have given people enormous pleasure over the years.

Example

The results gave us a distinct shock.

Example

Since we replaced the clutch, the car has given us no trouble at all.

Synonyms and related words
4.2

to make something look, taste, smell, sound, or feel a particular way

Example

Some laundry detergents give cotton a softer feel.

Synonyms and related words
4.3

to make someone think or believe something

Example

She gave us the distinct impression that the work was nearly finished.

Example

formal The hotel isn't as luxurious as we were given to understand in the brochure.

Synonyms and related words
5

to show or communicate information

Example

If you see him, will you give him a message from me?

Example

They gave me all the instructions over the phone.

Example

The answers are given on page 100.

Synonyms and related words
6

to perform an action to someone or something

Example

I gave him a hug before I left.

Example

We need to give the dog a bath this weekend.

Example

I'll give you a call on Sunday.

Synonyms and related words
6.1

used about a speech, talk, etc

Example

Someone from the university will give a talk on the future of education.

Synonyms and related words
6.2

to attempt to do something

Example

I'd never ridden a horse before, but I was prepared to give it a try.

Synonyms and related words
6.3

to spend time thinking about something before you make a decision or judgment about it

Example

We'll give your suggestions some thought and let you know what we decide.

Synonyms and related words
Example

She gave a short, mirthless laugh.

Synonyms and related words
8

to allow someone to take action

Example

Permission to build on the site had to be given by the zoning board.

Synonyms and related words
8.1

to allow someone to do something before other people

Example

When selecting applicants, priority is usually given to those with experience.

Synonyms and related words
8.2

to allow someone a limited time to do something

Example

They have given us six months to develop a new billing system.

Synonyms and related words
9

to pass an illness or disease to another person

Example

She gave the whole office the flu.

Example

You could easily give the disease to your partner.

Synonyms and related words
10

to pay money for something

Example

How much did they give you for your old car?

Example

Martin gave me $500 for my computer.

Synonyms and related words
10.1

to pay money to charity (=organizations that help people)

Example

We always give to charity at Christmas.

Example

We prefer to give our money to local causes.

Synonyms and related words
10.2

to provide a large amount of money, for example a loan or a grant

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11

if something gives, it stretches, bends, or moves

Example

The bridge has to be able to give a little in the wind.

Synonyms and related words
11.1

if something that supports or holds something gives, it breaks

Example

The floor of the platform might give if too many people walk on it.

Synonyms and related words
12

if someone gives, they agree to change a decision, opinion, or intention

Example

I tried to get my husband to come with me, but he wouldn't give.

Synonyms and related words
13

if you give yourself to something, you use all your time and energy to do it

Example

They expect you to give yourself to the job completely.

Synonyms and related words
13.1

if you give yourself to someone, you have sex with them

Synonyms and related words
Definition give in American English

Related Words

Words related to give:

someone some slack (phrase) don’t give me that (phrase) don’t give up day job (phrase) someone the bird (phrase) give (verb) give (noun) give (someone) your word (phrase) give a dog a bad name (phrase) give a hundred percent (phrase) give and take (phrase) give as good as you get (phrase) give away (phrasal verb) give back (phrasal verb) give birth (to someone) (phrase) give birth to something (phrase) give chase (phrase) give ground (phrase) give in (phrasal verb) give it some gas (phrase) give it some wellie (phrase) give it to someone straight (phrase) give it up (phrasal verb) give me a break (phrase) give me five (phrase) give me one good reason (phrase) give me something (phrase) give me strength (phrase) give of (phrasal verb) give off (phrasal verb) give onto (phrasal verb) give or take (phrase) give out (phrasal verb) give over to (phrasal verb) give rise to something (phrase) give someone a bell (phrase) give someone a boost (up) (phrase) give someone a break (phrase) give someone a buzz (phrase) give someone a dirty look (phrase) give someone a hard time (phrase) give someone a hint (phrase) give someone a jingle (phrase) give someone a mouthful (phrase) give someone a ring (phrase) give someone a shout (phrase) give someone a steer (phrase) give someone a try (phrase) give someone both barrels (phrase) give someone credit for something (phrase) give someone grief (phrase) give someone head (phrase) give someone hell (phrase) give someone notice (phrase) give someone pause (for thought) (phrase) give someone the benefit of the doubt (phrase) give someone the creeps (phrase) give someone the evil eye (phrase) give someone the eye (phrase) give someone the finger (phrase) give someone the giggles (phrase) give someone the shaft (phrase) give someone the shivers (phrase) give someone the slip (phrase) give someone to understand (that) (phrase) give someone ulcers (phrase) give a belt (phrase) give a chance (phrase) give a wide berth (phrase) give something a clean bill of health (phrase) give something a miss (phrase) give something a rest (phrase) give something a try (phrase) give something a whirl (phrase) give something some thought (phrase) give the game away (phrase) give the lie to something (phrase) give up (phrasal verb) give up on (phrasal verb) give up the ghost (phrase) give up to (phrasal verb) give utterance to something (phrase) give vent to (phrase) give way (phrase) give your name to something (phrase) give-and-take (noun) (your) notice (phrase) the word (phrase) (someone) your regrets (phrase) your love to someone (phrase) a glance (at) (phrase) I give you someone (phrase) I’ll give you that (phrase) I’ll give you three guesses (phrase) hope (phrase) not give a (flying) fuck (phrase) not give a fig something (phrase) not give (phrase) not give a shit (phrase) not an inch (phrase) to give someone their due (phrase)