Definition

To allow something to happen or to provide access; to yield or collapse under pressure; to make a donation or gift.

Example

The roof gave under the weight of the snow.

Tense Forms

Conversation

I wonder what’s going on with the party plans this weekend.

I know, right? It seems like things are still up in the air.

Yeah, I hope they can give us some updates soon.

Absolutely, I’d love to know if we need to bring anything.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Definition

The ability of a material or object to bend or compress without breaking, often described as springiness or resilience.

Example

The give of the rubber band allows it to stretch without snapping.

Conversation

Have you ever noticed how some fruits have a lot of give?

Yeah, I prefer the ones that are a bit soft; they taste better.

Exactly! The ones with more give are usually juicier too.

Root Explanation

The word 'give' originates from Old English 'giefan', meaning to bestow or grant. It has Germanic roots, related to the Old High German 'geban' and the Gothic 'giban', both meaning to give or to grant.

Memory Tip

Think of the Old English word 'giefan', which means to bestow something — that's why 'give' means to bestow or grant something.

Visually Confused Words