Phrasal verb
give off
Definition
phrasal verb. to produce something like a smell, heat, or light and send it out into the air.
phrasal verb. to emit or discharge a substance or quality, such as an odour, radiation, or a specific atmosphere; typically used with inanimate subjects.
Examples
“The old cheese gives off a very strong smell.”
“The heater gives off enough warmth to keep the entire small cabin cozy during the winter.”
“Certain species of fungi give off a faint bioluminescent glow that is only visible in complete darkness.”
Examples
simple
“The old cheese gives off a very strong smell.”
contextual
“The heater gives off enough warmth to keep the entire small cabin cozy during the winter.”
complex
“Certain species of fungi give off a faint bioluminescent glow that is only visible in complete darkness.”
Usage
usually takes an object like 'smell', 'heat', 'light', or 'vibe'.
Teaching tip
contrast with 'emit' for formal contexts; 'give off' is the standard choice for describing physical sensations or social 'vibes' in everyday speech.
Pitfall
The flower gives out a sweet smell.
The flower gives off a sweet smell.
'give out' usually means to stop working or to distribute things; 'give off' is the correct term for emitting smells or heat.
Phrasal verb
Particles
off
Separability
optional
Pattern
give + off + object
Synonyms
Antonyms
Grammar
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/give-off