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Give Very Common

/ɡɪv/

Give has 49 different meanings across 2 categories:

Noun · Verb

Definitions
Noun
1

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

"The rubber band gave perfectly when I pulled it back, snapping into place without losing any tension."

2

The amount of bending that something undergoes when a force is applied to it; a tendency to yield under pressure; resilence.

"The medieval manuscript contains several alternative spellings, including an early instance where give is used as a variant for the word gyve to mean shackle."

3

Alternative form of gyve

In plain English: A give is an act of providing something to someone else.

"He decided to give up his old car for free."

Usage: Do not use "give" as a noun to mean a shackle or fetter; that is an archaic spelling of "gyve." In modern English, the word "give" functions only as a verb meaning to provide or transfer something.

Verb
1

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense

"She gave him a black eye"

"The draft gave me a cold"

2

be the cause or source of

"He gave me a lot of trouble"

"Our meeting afforded much interesting information"

3

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"

4

convey or reveal information

"Give one's name"

5

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"

6

organize or be responsible for

"hold a reception"

"have, throw, or make a party"

"give a course"

7

convey or communicate; of a smile, a look, a physical gesture

"Throw a glance"

"She gave me a dirty look"

8

give as a present; make a gift of

"What will you give her for her birthday?"

9

cause to happen or be responsible for

"His two singles gave the team the victory"

10

dedicate

"give thought to"

"give priority to"

"pay attention to"

11

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"

12

transmit (knowledge or skills)

"give a secret to the Russians"

"leave your name and address here"

"impart a new skill to the students"

13

bring about

"The trompe l'oeil-illusion establishes depth"

14

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?"

15

emit or utter

"Give a gulp"

"give a yelp"

16

endure the loss of

"He gave his life for his children"

"I gave two sons to the war"

17

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"

18

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"

19

give (as medicine)

"I gave him the drug"

20

give or convey physically

"She gave him First Aid"

"I gave him a punch in the nose"

21

bestow

"give homage"

"render thanks"

22

bestow, especially officially

"grant a degree"

"give a divorce"

"This bill grants us new rights"

23

move in order to make room for someone for something

"The park gave way to a supermarket"

"`Move over,' he told the crowd"

24

give food to

"Feed the starving children in India"

"don't give the child this tough meat"

25

contribute to some cause

"I gave at the office"

26

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"

27

estimate the duration or outcome of something

"He gave the patient three months to live"

"I gave him a very good chance at success"

28

execute and deliver

"Give bond"

29

deliver in exchange or recompense

"I'll give you three books for four CDs"

30

afford access to

"the door opens to the patio"

"The French doors give onto a terrace"

31

present to view

"He gave the sign to start"

32

perform for an audience

"Pollini is giving another concert in New York"

33

be flexible under stress of physical force

"This material doesn't give"

34

propose

"He gave the first of many toasts at the birthday party"

35

accord by verdict

"give a decision for the plaintiff"

36

manifest or show

"This student gives promise of real creativity"

"The office gave evidence of tampering"

37

offer in good faith

"He gave her his word"

38

submit for consideration, judgment, or use

"give one's opinion"

"give an excuse"

39

guide or direct, as by behavior of persuasion

"You gave me to think that you agreed with me"

40

allow to have or take

"I give you two minutes to respond"

41

inflict as a punishment

"She gave the boy a good spanking"

"The judge gave me 10 years"

42

occur

"what gives?"

43

consent to engage in sexual intercourse with a man

"She gave herself to many men"

44

proffer (a body part)

"She gave her hand to her little sister"

45

To move, shift, provide something abstract or concrete to someone or something or somewhere.

"She gave her old coat to the shelter instead of throwing it away."

46

To transfer one's possession or holding of (something) to (someone).

"I will give you my old jacket since it is too small for me anymore."

In plain English: To give means to hand something to someone else so they can have it.

"She decided to give him a chance to explain his side."

Usage: Use "give" to indicate the act of transferring possession of an object or conveying an abstract concept like advice or time to another person. It typically requires a direct object for what is being transferred and often includes an indirect object specifying the recipient.

Example Sentences
"He decided to give up his old car for free." noun
"She decided to give him a chance to explain his side." verb
"Please give me your hand so we can shake." verb
"He decided to give his old coat to charity." verb
"Can you give the dog some water?" verb
Related Terms
offer provide pay surrender feed employ deliver return donate payment exchange action go gimme center allow betalk offer affordances turn in crystallize
Antonyms
take famish
Broader Terms (hypernyms)
elasticity supply transfer state communicate direct make think produce tell pass utter release use administer distribute move provide give change estimate execute compensate show perform stretch toast accord express pledge submit lead permit inflict happen accept offer
Narrower Terms (hyponyms)
infect award deliver open leave provide cough up lease support pay accord allow present bestow heap distribute offer contribute render deposit concede lend supply requite spare vest enfeoff quote cast regift endow give away raffle tip bequeath surrender grant treat donate tender convey introduce pacify give slip deal hand over release entrust vow rededicate apply tread administer dedicate dine scavenge fodder slop regurgitate corn undernourish overfeed spoonfeed force-feed lunch breakfast breastfeed bottlefeed inject nutrify range crop combine implode buckle flop break slump

Origin

The word "give" comes from a mix of Old English and Old Norse words for "to give," which merged in Middle English to replace an earlier form called "yive." This shift was driven by the strong influence of Old Norse, ensuring that the familiar meaning of offering something has remained consistent since its Proto-Germanic roots.

Rhyming Words
vive zive yive jive wive tive rive five bive dive live hive skive blive shive alive snive chive swive knive
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