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 someone

give someone something:

Could you give me that pen?

give something to someone:

She gave the flowers to me to hold.

a) [transitive] to let someone have or keep something as a present

give someone something:

We don't know what to give Dad for Christmas.

b) [intransitive/transitive] to do something good or helpful for someone

a relationship where one partner gives more than the other

Aid will be given to areas hardest hit by the flooding.

give someone help/support/encouragement:

Thanks for all the support you've given us.

2) [transitive] to make someone the owner of something that you owned

give someone something:

Will the royal family be asked to give the state more of its property?

give something to someone:

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 method

Can't you give her anything for the pain?

The drug is normally given by injection.

4) [transitive] to cause a general result or effect

The 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 something

give someone something:

These stories have given people enormous pleasure over the years.

The results gave us quite a shock.

give someone trouble/problems:

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 way

Some washing powders give cotton a softer feel.

c) to make someone think or believe something

give someone the idea/impression (that):

She gave us the distinct impression that the work was nearly finished.

be given to understand/believe something:

formal The hotel isn't as luxurious as we were given to understand in the brochure.

5) [transitive] to show or communicate information

If 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 something

give someone something:

I gave him a hug before I left.

We need to give the dog a bath this weekend.

give someone a call/ring (= to phone someone):

I'll give you a ring on Sunday.

a) used about a speech, talk etc

Someone from the university will give a talk on the future of education.

b) to attempt to do something

give 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 it

give 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 action

Permission to build on the site had to be given by the council.

a) to allow someone to do something before other people

give preference/priority to someone:

When selecting candidates, priority is usually given to those with experience.

b) to allow someone a limited time to do something

give someone something:

They have given us six months to develop a new billing system.

8) [transitive] to pass an illness or disease to another person

give someone something:

She gave the whole office the flu.

give something to someone:

You could easily give the disease to your partner.

9) [transitive] spoken to pay money for something

How much did they give you for your old car?

give someone something:

Martin gave me £300 for my computer.

a) [intransitive/transitive] to pay money to charity (= organizations that help people)

We always give to charity at Christmas.

give something to someone:

We prefer to give our money to local causes.

b) [transitive] to provide a large amount of money, for example a loan or a grant

give something to someone:

The Small Business Association gives loans to new businesses.

10)

a) [intransitive] if something gives, it stretches, bends, or moves

The bridge has to be able to give a little in the wind.

b) if something that supports or holds something gives, it breaks

The 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 intention

I 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 it

They expect you to give yourself to the job completely.

b) old-fashioned if you give yourself to someone, you have sex with them

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give someone/something a chance — used for telling someone not to make a judgment about someone or something too quickly

give something a day/month/year etc — used for saying how long you think something will last

Nobody 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 something

I would give anything for a trip to Maui right now.

what gives? — spoken used for asking what is happening in a situation

- don't give me that

- give as good as you get

- give it to someone straight

- give me something

- give or take

- give someone what for

- I give you someone

- I'll give you that

Phrasal verbs:

- give away

- give back

- give in

- give of

- give off

- give onto

- give out

- give over

- give over to

- give up

- give up on

- give up to

See:

finger I, way I

II UK [ɡɪv] / US noun [uncountable]

the tendency to bend or stretch

For shoes to be comfortable, there needs to be plenty of give in the leather.

•

- give and take