# give

/ˈɡɪv/ (US) · /ɡˈɪv/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. to hand over

verb · CEFR A1

to hand something to someone so they can keep it or use it.

For teachers: to transfer possession of a physical or abstract entity to another person. Often ditransitive, taking both a direct and indirect object.

- She gave her brother a beautiful watch for his graduation.
- The foundation gave the university a substantial grant to fund the new research laboratory over the next five years.

### 2. to produce or provide

verb · CEFR A2

to produce a result or provide information.

For teachers: to yield a result, product, or piece of information as an output.

- Adding these two numbers together gives you the total cost.
- The initial data analysis gives a clear indication that consumer spending habits are shifting toward digital services.

### 3. to break or bend

verb · CEFR B2

to break, collapse, or bend because of too much weight or pressure.

For teachers: to yield, collapse, or lose structural integrity under physical force or pressure. Intransitive in this sense.

- The old wooden bridge started to give under the weight of the heavy truck.
- The structural beams finally began to give after hours of intense heat, forcing the firefighters to evacuate the building immediately.

### 4. to organize an event

verb · CEFR B1

to organize or host a party or a performance.

For teachers: to host, organize, or present a social event or public performance.

- They are giving a small dinner party to celebrate their anniversary.
- The local orchestra is giving a free concert in the park this Saturday to encourage community engagement with classical music.

### 5. to devote oneself

verb · CEFR B2

to spend a lot of your time or energy on something.

For teachers: to devote or apply oneself or one's resources to a particular cause or activity. Often reflexive.

- He gave his whole life to helping people in need.
- She gave herself entirely to the project, working late every night to ensure the launch was a success.

### 6. to have a certain look

verb · CEFR C1 · Slang · Informal

to have a specific style or feeling.

For teachers: to project a specific aesthetic, mood, or vibe. Used in modern informal contexts.

- That outfit is giving 1990s fashion vibes.
- The minimalist decor in the new office is giving a very futuristic, high-tech energy that matches the company's brand.

Usage: Often used in the construction 'it's giving [noun]' to describe a mood or style.

### 7. flexibility

noun · CEFR B2

the ability of something to bend or stretch without breaking.

For teachers: the quality of resilience or the capacity of a physical object to yield under pressure.

- There isn't much give in this rope, so be careful not to pull too hard.
- The new mattress has just enough give to be comfortable while still providing the necessary support for your back.

## Examples

- Please give me the book.
- The local charity asked residents to give any spare clothes to the winter clothing drive.
- The professor decided to give the students additional time to complete the final exam after the library closure disrupted their research schedule.

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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.