Meaning of give In English

• 0 to offer something to someone, or to provide someone with something:

  • [ + two objects ] She gave us a set of saucepans as a wedding present.

  • Can you give me a date for another appointment?

  • They never gave me a chance/choice.

  • Has the director given you permission to do that?

  • [ + adv/prep ] We always try to give to charity.

  • We're collecting for the children's home - please give generously.

  • The police gave (out) road-safety booklets to the children (= gave them to all the children).

  • Please give (up) your seat to an elderly or disabled person if they need it.

  • I gave the taxi driver £20 and told him to keep the change.

  • We're very grateful to all the people who have given of their time.

  • UK She wasn't feeling well, so I don't think she gave of her best tonight.

  • We must be finished by tonight, so I want you to give it your all.

  • The winner's name was given (out)/They gave the winner's name (out) on the news.

  • [ + two objects ] Can you give Jo a message for me?

  • [ + two objects ] If you're found guilty, they'll give you three years.

  • [ + two objects ] I'm nearly ready - just give me a couple of minutes.

  • [ + two objects ] Look at that old car she bought - I give it two weeks before it breaks down.

• 1 to produce or cause something:

  • [ + two objects ] The fresh air gave us an appetite (= made us hungry).

  • What you said has given me an idea.

  • The alarm gave (out) a high-pitched sound.

  • I was given to understand she was staying at this hotel.

• 2 to perform an action:

  • [ + two objects ] She gave me a smile/strange look.

  • They had to give the car a push to start it.

  • Give me a call/ring (= phone me) when you get back from holiday.

  • Who is giving the speech/lecture/concert?

  • They're always giving parties.

  • The ambassador is giving a banquet for the visiting president.

  • Only a few people are successful as professional athletes, but it's worth giving it a go.

  • Ladies and Gentlemen, I give you the president!

• 3 If something gives, it stretches, bends, or breaks, or becomes less firm or tight, under pressure:

  • The rope gave under/with the weight of the load.

  • The shoes will give a little after you've worn them once or twice.

  • figurative You can't work so hard all the time - something will have to give (= change).

  • figurative Suddenly her patience gave (out) and she shouted angrily at the children.

• 4 in some sports, to decide and state officially that a player or the ball is in a particular condition or place:

  • The umpire gave the batsman out.

  • The ball was clearly out, but the line judge gave it in.

• 5 the quality of stretching, bending, or breaking, or becoming less firm or tight, under pressure:

  • A sweater knitted in pure cotton doesn't have much give (= will not stretch much).

• 6 to offer something of your own to another person or thing, or to allow something you own or control to be owned or used by another:

  • We’re collecting for the Red Cross – please give what you can.

  • We’re giving Helen a salad bowl/We’re giving a salad bowl to Helen as a wedding present.

  • Give me back my book/Give my book back (= Return my book).

  • Give her enough time (= Allow her to have enough time) to finish the exam.

• 7 to produce or cause something:

  • He gave me a hard push.

  • Give me a phone call when you get home.

  • The president is giving a speech tonight.

  • The fresh air gave us an appetite (= made us hungry).

  • We’re giving a birthday party for Kareem.

  • He gave me the impression (= He made me think) that the deal would go through.

  • This car has given (= caused) me lots of trouble ever since I got it.

• 8 to stretch or become looser:

  • New shoes will give a little after you’ve worn them a few times.

  • fig. The negotiations are completely deadlocked, and neither side will give an inch (= each refuses to change its position even a little).

• 9 to offer something to someone or provide them with it, especially without asking for any payment:

  • give sb sth Can you give me a date for another appointment?

  • give sth to sb We gave over 200 free copies of the software to a local educational institution.

• 10 to pay a particular amount of money to someone for something:

  • give sth for sth What would you give for this painting?

  • There are people starving as a result of the disaster, so please give generously.

• 11 to allow a person or activity a particular amount of time:

  • You should give at least two days for writing the report.

  • give sb a moment/minute/second I'm nearly finished - just give me a moment.