# gift

/ˈɡɪft/ (US) · /ɡˈɪft/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/gift
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. a present

noun · CEFR A2

something that you give to someone, usually for a special occasion like a birthday.

For teachers: something given voluntarily to another person without payment or expectation of return.

- She bought a beautiful gift for her sister's graduation party.
- The university received a generous gift from an anonymous donor, which will be used to fund several new research scholarships.

### 2. a talent

noun · CEFR B1

a natural ability to do something very well.

For teachers: an innate talent or natural aptitude for a specific activity or field.

- He has a real gift for languages and speaks four fluently.
- Her natural gift for mathematics was evident from a young age, long before she began formal training in advanced calculus.

### 4. to give as a present

verb · CEFR B2 · Formal

to give something to someone as a present.

For teachers: to present something as a gift to a person or institution. Often used in formal or journalistic contexts.

- The company gifted a new laptop to every employee this year.
- The estate was gifted to the National Trust upon the owner's death, ensuring the historic gardens would be preserved for the public.

Usage: The verb is transitive and requires a direct object.

### 5. to concede easily

verb · CEFR B2 · Informal

to give something away too easily, like a goal in a game.

For teachers: to allow an opponent to gain an advantage or score through a mistake.

- The goalkeeper gifted the other team a goal by dropping the ball.
- The defender gifted the striker an opening with a poorly timed pass, leading to a decisive goal in the final minutes.

## Examples

- She gave me a beautiful gift for my birthday.
- The charity received a generous gift from an anonymous donor to help build the new hospital wing.
- While the term often refers to physical objects, it can also describe an innate aptitude, such as a natural gift for languages or musical composition.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.