give

Transfer to another

The core meaning of give is to offer as a present: give is related to the noun gift.

From this core meaning, dozens of others have developed; many have lost the connection of intention associated with giving or with gifts, as in give a speech or a well that gives eight gallons a minute.

Give‘s high frequency arises from these many meanings, and from its use to designate one of the commonest actions between humans: the transfer of possession.

Give me that gun.

bestow

confer

Discuss or bestow

grantBestow or award money
endowProvide with lasting funds
impartGive by communication

bequeath · convey · entrust · award · accord · vest · furnish · provide · present · allocate

donate

contribute

Give to a collective

philanthropyGenerous giving for others
charityVoluntary aid for others
titheTenth for clergy

offering · alms · benefactor · patronage · sponsorship · pledge · fundraise · support · aid · relief

surrender

yield

Produce or relinquish

relinquishVoluntarily give up control
cedeFormally surrender possession
concedeAdmit something reluctantly

forfeit · capitulate · submit · hand over · turn over · part with · let go · abandon · waive · sacrifice

elasticity

stretch

Pull to extend

flexTense a muscle
bendCurve or flex
yieldProduce or relinquish

spring · resilience · slack · play · leeway · tolerance · cushion · bounce · pliability · suppleness

collapse

buckle

Frame-and-prong fastener

breakInterrupt continuity
failBe unsuccessful
cave inCollapse or yield

crumble · falter · weaken · crack · snap · burst · rupture · founder · succumb · sag

emit

radiate

Send forth rays

emanateTo issue forth
exudeDischarge gradually through pores
produceMake or manufacture

release · discharge · shed · transmit · send out · put out · issue · generate · project · throw off

Categories

verbsjump, be, speak, wait, do
basic wordsand, the, but, on, up
irregular verbsbegin, began, begun, break, broke
philanthropydonations, charity work, donate, donor, foundations
dividing and givingdistribute, allocate, divide, share, portion out
flexibilitystretch, elastic, bendy, stretchy, bendable

Opposites

transfer of possession

givetake

Capture or filmed segment

receive · get · accept · acquire · seize

generosity vs. withholding

Refuse to give

keep · retain · hoard · hold back · conceal

PHYSICAL YIELDING (flexibility/resistance)

Oppose or refuse compliance

hold firm · withstand · rigidity · stiffen · stand fast

Phrases

give upStop attempting something
give inCease resistance, concede
give birthProduce offspring from womb
give awayProvide at no cost
don't give upEncouragement to continue despite difficulty
given upCeased attempting something

Family

given, giving, forgive, forgiveness, forgiving, giver, gives, forgiven, misgivings

Familiarity: Top 100
Profile: Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Positive · Everyday, not technical · Rated G