give - Definition & Meaning | Lingo Dictionary

give

Third Person

gives

Present Participle

giving

Past Tense

gave

Past Participle

given

to hand a thing to a person to look at, use, or keep

The librarian gave me a book to borrow for my research.
She gave me a key to access the storage room.
The tour guide gave visitors a map to explore the historical site.
The manager gave employees access cards to enter the secured area.
Can you give me the scissors to cut this paper?

to provide something for someone

The bakery is known for giving free samples of their new pastries.
She gave me a ride to the airport when my car broke down.
The government plans to give financial aid to small businesses.
The handwritten letters were given to the archives by the author's estate.
The teacher gave the students their assignments.

(dummy verb) to perform an action that is specified by a noun

transitive

The car gave a sudden jerk when it hit a pothole.
He took the guitar and gave it a strum to test the sound.
She gave the engine a kick, hoping it would start.
The chef gave the sauce a stir to mix the ingredients evenly.
After fixing the clock, he gave the pendulum a gentle swing.

to tell someone something from another person

I'll give your message to Tom when I meet him for lunch.
Please give my apologies to Mary if I don't make it to the party.
Can you give Sarah my regards when you see her next?
Please give my best wishes to your family during the holidays.
I'll give your greetings to Mary when I visit her this weekend.

to make a particular sound

transitive

Startled by the sudden noise, she gave a scream.
As the baby woke up, he gave a loud cry for attention.
When surprised, he would often give a hearty laugh.
Upon seeing the unexpected twist in the plot, she gave a gasp of astonishment.

to let someone contact a particular person on the phone

Let me give you to my colleague who can provide more information on that topic.
Please wait a moment, and I will give you to the right department.
Hold the line, and I'll give you to our expert who can answer your specific questions.
Stay on the line, and I'll give you to the supervisor for a more detailed explanation.
Can you please hold?I'll give you to our customer service representative to address your concerns.

to curve or stretch because of pressure

The spring mattress gives a little under the weight, providing a comfortable sleep surface.
The flexible material of the yoga mat gives slightly, allowing for better traction during exercises.
The flexible branches of the tree give in the strong wind, preventing breakage.
The safety net around the trapeze gives when performers land, providing a cushioned landing.
The doorstop is designed to give slightly to prevent damage to the wall.

Synonyms:

yield

(of a referee or umpire) to decide if a player or ball is out or offside during a game

transitive

The referee had to give a quick decision on whether the soccer player was offside.
The chess referee will give a decision on whether the move is legal.
The umpire will give a decision on whether the serve was in or out in a tennis match.
In tennis, the umpire must give a ruling on whether the ball landed in or out.

to host or organize a party, event, gathering, or similar social occasion

transitive

As a tradition, the family gives a holiday gathering every Christmas Eve.
We're planning to give a farewell dinner for our colleague who is leaving the company.
The couple is giving an engagement party to celebrate their upcoming wedding.
They're giving a housewarming party to introduce their new home to friends and family.
Let's give a barbecue in the backyard to celebrate the start of summer.

Synonyms:

make have hold throw

to convey a message, emotion, or signal through a physical gesture, such as with the hand, face, or body

transitive

She gave a nod of approval when she liked the idea.
Joel gave a wink to let me know he was joking.
He gave a shrug, indicating his uncertainty about the decision.
The teacher gave a stern look to quiet the noisy classroom.
She gave a thumbs-up to signal that everything was going according to plan.

Synonyms:

throw

to transfer or offer something, such as a present, donation, or assistance, to someone voluntarily.

transitive

He decided to give her a beautiful necklace for her birthday.
She always gives thoughtful presents that reflect the recipient's interests.
We gave money to the local animal shelter.
She gave a book to her friend on their graduation.
The company gave a generous donation to support local schools.

Synonyms:

present gift

to share information or details with someone

The witness gave a detailed account of the events leading to the accident.
She gave valuable insights into the market trends during the business meeting.
The tour guide gave us interesting information about the historical landmarks.
The librarian gave a brief explanation of how the online catalog system works.
Can you give me some information about the local attractions in the area?

Synonyms:

impart pass on leave

to formally grant approval for a marriage, typically a father approving his daughter's marriage

transitive

The father proudly gave his daughter in marriage to the man she loved.
The king decided to give his daughter in marriage to the prince of a neighboring kingdom.
It was a joyous occasion when the patriarch agreed to give his granddaughter in marriage.
The groom sought the father's permission before the latter agreed to give his daughter in marriage.

Synonyms:

pass on reach turn over pass hand

to attribute in thought or speech

transitive

She would often give credit to her team for the project's success.
Please give praise to those who contributed to the event's organization.
In his speech, the speaker decided to give recognition to the pioneers in the field.
Let's give credit where it's due and acknowledge the hard work of the volunteers.
Can you give acknowledgment to those who helped with the project?

Synonyms:

dedicate devote consecrate commit

to suddenly break or move due to pressure or weight

The door finally gave under the force of the strong wind.
The overloaded shelf gave, and books tumbled to the floor.
The ice on the pond gave, creating a crack beneath the skater's weight.
The worn-out rope gave suddenly, leading to a swift descent.
The old ladder gave as he climbed, leading to a minor accident.

Synonyms:

founder cave in fall in break give way collapse

to agree to engage in sexual intercourse with someone

He decided to give himself to the woman he loved, marking a significant step in their relationship.
In a gesture of deep affection, she gave herself to her long-time partner.
He respected her boundaries and waited until she felt ready to give herself to him in their romantic journey.
The couple decided to give themselves to each other on their wedding night, celebrating the start of their lifelong commitment.

to behave toward someone in a manner that reflects a specific attitude or feeling

The employee gives unwavering loyalty to the company, always going above and beyond.
Children often give their parents unconditional love and respect.
In a healthy relationship, partners give each other trust and understanding.
Friends give one another unwavering loyalty during both good times and challenges.
A leader earns respect when they give their team fair treatment and recognition.

to perform something in a public setting

transitive

The author will be giving a book reading at the local bookstore next week.
The scientist will be giving a keynote address at the international conference.
The mayor gave a stirring speech at the city's annual Independence Day celebration.
He gave a heartfelt performance of his original song at the open mic night.
The teacher gave an inspiring lecture to the students about pursuing their dreams.

to provide someone with the permission or opportunity to do something

The manager gave the team permission to work from home when necessary.
The teacher gave students the opportunity to present their projects in class.
The city council gave approval for the new park to be built in the neighborhood.
Parents give their children the freedom to explore and learn from their experiences.
The professor gave students the chance to resubmit their assignments for improvement.

to provide someone with instructions as to what they should do

The commander gave the troops orders to hold their positions until further notice.
The chef gave the kitchen staff clear directions for preparing the special menu.
The captain gave the crew explicit orders to prepare for adverse weather conditions.
The coach gave the team specific instructions for the upcoming game.

to create problems or difficulties for someone

The unexpected change in plans gave the team problems in meeting the deadline.
His lack of preparation gave him difficulties during the exam.
Ignoring the warning signs can give you trouble in the long run.
Cutting corners on safety measures can give workers problems on the job.
Ignorance of local laws can give travelers trouble while abroad.

to assign someone with a particular job, task, etc.

The manager gave each team member a project to complete by the end of the week.
The teacher gave the students a challenging homework assignment to test their understanding.
The supervisor gave the intern the responsibility of organizing the upcoming event.
He always gives his employees tasks that align with their skills and strengths.
The professor gave the class an essay to write on the assigned topic.

to add or improve a specific quality in someone or something

His kindness gives his personality an endearing charm.
The vibrant colors of the artwork give the room a lively and energetic atmosphere.
The fresh herbs give the soup a delightful and savory taste.
Her confident stride gives her a strong and assertive presence.
The vintage dress gives her a timeless and elegant appearance.

to allow someone a specified amount of time for a task or obligation

The teacher gave the students an extra hour to complete the exam.
Could you give me a moment to gather my thoughts before answering?
The boss gave the team an additional week to finalize the project.
Please give me a couple of days to review the proposal before making a decision.
The conference organizer gave the speakers an extra 15 minutes for their presentations.

to initiate a telephone conversation with someone by making a phone call

After the meeting, I'll give you a call to discuss the project details.
If you have any questions, feel free to give me a ring, and we can chat about it.
Can you give me a buzz later?I'd like to go over the schedule for next week.
If there are updates, I'll give you a call to keep you informed.
If you have any concerns, please don't hesitate to give us a ring for support.

to introduce or present a speaker or entertainer

Ladies and gentlemen, for your enjoyment tonight, I give you the talented singer, Sarah Williams!
To kick off our event, I am pleased to give you our keynote speaker, Professor Johnson.
For the highlight of the evening, I am delighted to give you the renowned magician, David Mystique.
Before we start our celebration, let me give you our master of ceremonies, the lively and entertaining Mr. James Bennett.
To make a special announcement, I now give you the CEO of our company, Mr. Jonathan Anderson.

to deliver a judgment or verdict with authority

transitive

After carefully considering the evidence, the jury gave their unanimous verdict.
After a thorough investigation, the committee gave its decision on the matter.
The supervisor will give his judgment on the employee's performance during the review.
The forensic expert will give his professional opinion before the final verdict.
The council will give a determination on the zoning request after the public hearing.

to admit defeat or surrender

Faced with overwhelming odds, the general decided to give and avoid further casualties.
The boxer, realizing he couldn't continue the fight, raised his hands to give.
In the face of the enemy's advance, the commander had no choice but to give.
The chess player, recognizing the checkmate, gracefully decided to give.
The team, trailing by a significant margin, had to give and acknowledge the opposing team's victory.

to assign a name to someone or something

She decided to give the new puppy the name "Charlie."
The teacher asked the students to give titles to their creative writing pieces.
The company chose to give a unique code to each product for better identification.
The city council decided to give the park a commemorative name in honor of the community's founder.
As a tradition, the family would give specific nicknames to each car they owned.