- give
- I UK [ɡɪv] / US
verb
Word forms "give":
present tense I/you/we/they give he/she/it gives present participle giving past tense gave UK [ɡeɪv] / US past participle given UK [ˈɡɪv(ə)n] / US
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1) [transitive] to put something in someone's hand, or to pass something to someonegive someone something:give something to someone:Could you give me that pen?
She gave the flowers to me to hold.
a) [transitive] to let someone have or keep something as a presentgive someone something:We don't know what to give Dad for Christmas.
b) [intransitive/transitive] to do something good or helpful for someonea relationship where one partner gives more than the other
give someone help/support/encouragement:Aid will be given to areas hardest hit by the flooding.
Thanks for all the support you've given us.
2) [transitive] to make someone the owner of something that you ownedgive someone something:give something to someone:Will the royal family be asked to give the state more of its property?
There are tax advantages if you give the house to your children before you die.
3) [transitive] to put medicine into someone's body using a particular methodCan't you give her anything for the pain?
The drug is normally given by injection.
4) [transitive] to cause a general result or effectThe motor oil gives good performance in all weather conditions.
The removal of trade restrictions could give the economy a substantial boost.
a) to make someone feel or experience somethinggive someone something:These stories have given people enormous pleasure over the years.
give someone trouble/problems:The results gave us quite a shock.
Since we replaced the clutch, the car has given us no trouble at all.
b) to make something look, taste, smell, sound, or feel a particular waySome washing powders give cotton a softer feel.
c) to make someone think or believe somethinggive someone the idea/impression (that):be given to understand/believe something:She gave us the distinct impression that the work was nearly finished.
formal
The hotel isn't as luxurious as we were given to understand in the brochure.5) [transitive] to show or communicate informationIf you see him, will you give him a message from me?
They gave me all the instructions over the phone.
The answers are given on page 100.
6) to perform an action to someone or somethinggive someone something:I gave him a hug before I left.
give someone a call/ring (= to phone someone):We need to give the dog a bath this weekend.
I'll give you a ring on Sunday.
a) used about a speech, talk etcSomeone from the university will give a talk on the future of education.
b) to attempt to do somethinggive something a try/shot/go:I'd never ridden a horse before, but I was prepared to give it a go.
c) to spend time thinking about something before you make a decision or judgment about itgive something thought/attention/consideration:We'll give your suggestions some thought and let you know what we decide.
7) [transitive] to allow someone to take actionPermission to build on the site had to be given by the council.
a) to allow someone to do something before other peoplegive preference/priority to someone:When selecting candidates, priority is usually given to those with experience.
b) to allow someone a limited time to do somethinggive someone something:They have given us six months to develop a new billing system.
8) [transitive] to pass an illness or disease to another persongive someone something:give something to someone:She gave the whole office the flu.
You could easily give the disease to your partner.
9) [transitive] spoken to pay money for somethinggive someone something:How much did they give you for your old car?
Martin gave me £300 for my computer.
a) [intransitive/transitive] to pay money to charity (= organizations that help people)give something to someone:We always give to charity at Christmas.
We prefer to give our money to local causes.
b) [transitive] to provide a large amount of money, for example a loan or a grantgive something to someone:The Small Business Association gives loans to new businesses.
10)a) [intransitive] if something gives, it stretches, bends, or movesThe bridge has to be able to give a little in the wind.
b) if something that supports or holds something gives, it breaksThe floor of the platform might give if too many people walk on it.
11) [intransitive] if someone gives, they agree to change a decision, opinion, or intentionI tried to get my husband to come with me, but he wouldn't give.
12)a) [transitive] if you give yourself to something, you use all your time and energy to do itThey expect you to give yourself to the job completely.
b) old-fashioned if you give yourself to someone, you have sex with them•give someone/something a chance
— used for telling someone not to make a judgment about someone or something too quicklygive something a day/month/year etc
— used for saying how long you think something will lastNobody gave the marriage more than a few months.
I would give my right arm/my eye teeth for something
= I would give anything for something — used for saying that you would very much like to have somethingI would give anything for a trip to Maui right now.
Phrasal verbs:what gives?
— spoken used for asking what is happening in a situation- give in- give of- give off- give out- give upSee:
II UK [ɡɪv] / US noun [uncountable]the tendency to bend or stretchFor shoes to be comfortable, there needs to be plenty of give in the leather.
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English dictionary. 2014.