give

giveverb

To give is to make something pass from you to someone else, whether it is a thing, help, an action, or a feeling.

1. hand to someonepass something to someone so that they can hold it or use it

   transitive [T] verb + two objects [V + obj + obj] verb + object + preposition + object [V + obj + prep + obj]

   • Can you give me that pen, please? V + obj + obj
   • She gave the keys to her neighbor before she left. V + obj + prep + obj
   • Give it to me, and I'll carry it. V + obj + prep + obj

   Collocations

   verb + noun give someone the keys, give someone a glass of water

   verb + preposition give something to someone, give something back

   Synonyms hand; pass; lend

2. as a presentlet someone have something that you own, as a present and without asking for anything back

   transitive or intransitive [T/I] verb + two objects [V + obj + obj] verb + object + preposition + object [V + obj + prep + obj] verb + object [V + obj]

   • What are you giving your mother for her birthday? V + obj + obj
   • He gave me a book that he had loved as a child. V + obj + obj
   • They give money to a children's hospital every year. V + obj + prep + obj
   • Please give generously. (no object)

   Collocations

   verb + noun give a present, give a gift, give money

   verb + adverb give generously

   verb + preposition give something to charity

   Synonyms donate

   Antonyms receive

3. paypay an amount of money for something

   transitive [T] verb + two objects [V + obj + obj] verb + object + preposition + object [V + obj + prep + obj] informal

   • I'll give you fifty dollars for the bike. V + obj + obj
   • How much did you give for that old car? V + obj + prep + obj

   Collocations

   verb + preposition give something for something

   Synonyms pay

4. providelet someone have something they need or want, such as help, information, or a chance

   transitive [T] verb + two objects [V + obj + obj] verb + object + preposition + object [V + obj + prep + obj] verb + object [V + obj]

   • Can you give me some advice? V + obj + obj
   • The teacher gave us a lot of homework. V + obj + obj
   • The job gives her the chance to travel. V + obj + obj
   • We were given ten minutes to finish the test. V + obj + obj (passive: the person receiving is the subject)

   Collocations

   verb + noun give advice, give information, give help, give someone a chance, give permission, give an example

   verb + adverb give freely

   Synonyms provide; offer

   For translators (sense 4)

   Grammar trap "give" takes two objects, the person first: give her the book. With to the order changes: give the book to her. In the passive either can be the subject, and the person is more usual: She was given the book.

5. an actiondo the single action that a noun names, such as a smile, a push, or a shout

   Give is used with many nouns that name one short action, especially a sound, a movement of the face or body, or a quick touch: give a smile, give a push, give someone a kiss. The phrase usually means the same as the matching verb done once (give a sigh is sigh once), and it is very common in speech.

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj] verb + two objects [V + obj + obj]

   • She gave a little laugh. V + obj
   • He gave the door a hard push. V + obj + obj
   • Come here and give me a hug. V + obj + obj
   • The baby gave a loud cry and woke up. V + obj

   Collocations

   verb + noun give a smile, give a laugh, give a shout, give someone a hug, give someone a kiss, give something a push

   For translators (sense 5)

   Meaning across languages Many languages use a verb meaning make or do with these nouns, or just the matching verb. A word-for-word translation of give a laugh or give a push may sound strange; translate the action.

6. performdo something in front of a group of people, such as a speech, a talk, or a concert

   transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj]

   • She gave a short speech at the wedding. V + obj
   • The band is giving a free concert in the park. V + obj
   • Who is giving the talk this afternoon? V + obj

   Collocations

   verb + noun give a speech, give a talk, give a concert, give a lesson, give a performance

   Synonyms deliver

   1. ahave a party or a meal and invite people to it

      transitive [T] verb + object [V + obj]

      • They're giving a party on Saturday night. V + obj
      • We gave a small dinner for her birthday. V + obj

      Collocations

      verb + noun give a party, give a dinner

7. causemake someone have a feeling, a pain, or an illness

   transitive [T] verb + two objects [V + obj + obj]

   • All that noise gave me a headache. V + obj + obj
   • You gave me a fright! I didn't hear you come in. V + obj + obj
   • Stay at home so you don't give everyone your cold. V + obj + obj

   Collocations

   verb + noun give someone a headache, give someone a fright, give someone a shock, give someone pleasure, give someone trouble

   Synonyms cause

8. time or attentionuse time, attention, or effort on someone or something

   transitive [T] verb + two objects [V + obj + obj] verb + object + preposition + object [V + obj + prep + obj]

   • Give me five minutes and I'll be ready. V + obj + obj
   • She gave the problem a lot of thought. V + obj + obj
   • He gives all his time to his work. V + obj + prep + obj

   Collocations

   verb + noun give someone a minute, give something some thought, give something your attention, give something your best

9. bend or breakbend, stretch, or break when something presses or pulls on it

   intransitive [I] verb + adverb or preposition [V + adv/prep]

   • The old shelf finally gave under the weight of the books. V + adv/prep
   • I pushed hard on the door, but it wouldn't give.

   Collocations

   phrase give under the weight of something, something gives

See also give up; give in; give away; take