verb
/ˈgɪv/ gives; gave /ˈgeɪv/; given /ˈgɪvən/; giving
[+ obj] to cause or allow someone to have (something) as a present :to make a present of (something)
to cause or allow (something valued or needed) to go to another person, group, etc. :donate [+ obj]
[+ obj] :to put (something) into someone's hand
[+ obj] to provide someone with (something wanted or needed)
to allow someone to have or take (an amount of time)
[+ obj] to treat or regard someone or something with (a particular attitude, feeling, etc.)
to direct (something) toward someone
[+ obj] to tell (information) to someone
to express or say (something) to someone
The informal phrase don't give me that is used in speech to show annoyance when someone tells you something that you do not believe or accept.
to show (something)
to offer (something) for consideration or acceptance
[+ obj] :to say that someone has or deserves (something)
[+ obj] to cause someone to have or experience (something, such as an emotion, a problem, etc.)
to cause someone to become affected by (something, such as an illness)
to cause someone or something to have (a quality)
to cause something to be affected by (something)
[+ obj] :to cause someone to get or take (a medicine)
[+ obj] to present (a show, speech, etc.) in public
to provide (something) as entertainment or as a social gathering
[+ obj] :to do (an action)
[+ obj] to cause someone to experience or suffer (a form of punishment)
to cause someone to undergo or do (something)
To give something thought/consideration (etc.) is to think about it.
To give someone a call/ring/buzz/bell is to make a telephone call to someone.
If you try to do something, you give it a try or (informally) give it a go/shot/stab.
If you would give anything or give your right hand/arm to do or to have something, you want to do or have it very much.
[+ obj] :to make (something, such as your hand) available for someone
When a woman gives her hand in marriage to a man, she marries him. This is a formal and somewhat old-fashioned expression.
[+ obj] pay
sell
[+ obj] :to say or judge that someone or something will last for (an amount of time)
[+ obj] informal :to admit (something) to or about someone
[+ obj] :to have or produce (something) as a product, result, or effect
[+ obj] formal :to cause someone to believe or think (something) - followed by to + verb
To give someone an idea/impression (etc.) is to cause someone to believe or think something.
[no obj]
to bend because of force, pressure, or strain
to break because of force, pressure, or strain
[no obj] :to stop trying to resist or oppose something :to give in or submit to pressure
[+ obj] a - used to indicate a possible or assumed state or condition
b - used to say what you want to have or would prefer to have
[+ obj] informal - used in phrases like give a damn to say that you do not care at all about something
give as good as you get
informal :to be as forceful in fighting or arguing against others as they are in fighting or arguing against you
give away
[phrasal verb]
give (something) away or give away (something)
to make a present of (something)
to lose (something) in a careless way
to allow (something hidden or secret) to become known
give (someone) away also give away (someone)
to bring (the bride) to the groom at a wedding
to reveal the truth about (someone)
give back
[phrasal verb]
give (something) back or give back (something) :to cause someone to have (something) again :to return or restore (something) to someone
give birth
give chase
give ground
give in
[phrasal verb]
to stop trying to fight or resist something :to agree to do or accept something that you have been resisting or opposing
give (something) in or give in (something) Brit :to give (something) to a person who has authority to review or accept it
give it a rest, give (something) a rest
give me a break, give (someone) a break
give of
[phrasal verb]
give of yourself or give of your time formal :to use your time and effort to help others
give off
[phrasal verb]
give off (something) :to send (light, energy, etc.) out from a source
give on to
also give onto [phrasal verb]
give on to (something) also give onto (something) Brit :to provide a view of or a passage to (something)
give or take
used to indicate that the stated amount is approximate and might be increased or decreased by a specified amount
give out
[phrasal verb]
to stop working
to become used up
give out (something) :to produce (noise, light, etc.)
give (something) out or give out (something) :to give (something) to many people :to hand out (something)
give over
[phrasal verb] Brit informal :to stop doing something that is annoying or unpleasant
give over to
[phrasal verb]
give (something) over to (someone)
to give (something) to (someone) to have, use, do, etc.
give (yourself) over to (something) :to allow (yourself) to be fully affected by, controlled by, or involved in (something)
Something that is given over to a specified purpose is used for that purpose.
give place to
give rise to
give up
[phrasal verb]
to stop an activity or effort :to admit that you cannot do something and stop trying :quit
give (something) up or give up (something)
to stop having, doing, or using (something)
to stop trying to do (something)
c sports :to allow (a score, a hit, etc.) by an opposing team or player
give (yourself) up :to surrender (yourself) as a prisoner
give (someone) up
to stop trying to improve the condition of (someone) because it seems hopeless
to stop having hope of seeing (someone)
give (yourself) up to (something) :to allow (yourself) to be fully affected by, controlled by, or involved in (something)
give up on (someone)
to stop trying to improve the condition of (someone)
to stop having hope of seeing (someone)
give up on (something) :to stop trying to do or achieve (something)
give up the ghost
give way
What gives?
informal - used to ask the reason for something
noun
[noncount] :the ability of a material to bend or stretch
US