give
- 01 A1 Beginner
v.to hand something to someone so they can keep it or use it.
v.to transfer possession of a physical or abstract entity to another person. Often ditransitive, taking both a direct and indirect object.
Simple“She gave her brother a beautiful watch for his graduation.”
In context“The foundation gave the university a substantial grant to fund the new research laboratory over the next five years.”
PitfallI gave to him the book. I gave him the book.When the recipient comes before the object, do not use 'to'. Use 'I gave him the book' or 'I gave the book to him'.
- 02 A2 Elementary
v.to produce a result or provide information.
v.to yield a result, product, or piece of information as an output.
Simple“Adding these two numbers together gives you the total cost.”
In context“The initial data analysis gives a clear indication that consumer spending habits are shifting toward digital services.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to break, collapse, or bend because of too much weight or pressure.
v.to yield, collapse, or lose structural integrity under physical force or pressure. Intransitive in this sense.
Simple“The old wooden bridge started to give under the weight of the heavy truck.”
In context“The structural beams finally began to give after hours of intense heat, forcing the firefighters to evacuate the building immediately.”
- 04 B1 Intermediate
v.to organize or host a party or a performance.
v.to host, organize, or present a social event or public performance.
Simple“They are giving a small dinner party to celebrate their anniversary.”
In context“The local orchestra is giving a free concert in the park this Saturday to encourage community engagement with classical music.”
- 05 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to spend a lot of your time or energy on something.
v.to devote or apply oneself or one's resources to a particular cause or activity. Often reflexive.
Simple“He gave his whole life to helping people in need.”
In context“She gave herself entirely to the project, working late every night to ensure the launch was a success.”
- 06 C1 Advanced
v.to have a specific style or feeling.
v.to project a specific aesthetic, mood, or vibe. Used in modern informal contexts.
Simple“That outfit is giving 1990s fashion vibes.”
In context“The minimalist decor in the new office is giving a very futuristic, high-tech energy that matches the company's brand.”
UsageOften used in the construction 'it's giving [noun]' to describe a mood or style.
- 07 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the ability of something to bend or stretch without breaking.
n.the quality of resilience or the capacity of a physical object to yield under pressure.
Simple“There isn't much give in this rope, so be careful not to pull too hard.”
In context“The new mattress has just enough give to be comfortable while still providing the necessary support for your back.”
Synonyms
Usage give people · gives rise · give away
Middle English given, from merger of Old English giefan (“to give”) and Old Norse gefa (“to give”), from Proto-Germanic *gebaną (“to give”). Displaced yive, from Middle English yiven, of the same origin, from influence of Old Norse gefa.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.