give

To let someone have something, often by putting it in their hands.

• Give me the pen, please.
• She gave him her spare ticket.
• Can you give this letter to your mother?

How to use it: give someone something (Please give me the key.); give something to someone (She gave the book to her brother.)

Similar words: hand, pass

Opposites: take, receive

Common phrases: give someone something, give something to someone, give me that, give someone a key

To speak to an audience in a planned talk or speech.

• She will give a short talk.
• He gave a speech at the wedding.
• Have you ever given a presentation to a large audience?

Similar words: deliver, present

Common phrases: give a speech, give a talk, give a lecture, give a presentation

To let someone have something as a present, without asking for payment.

• I gave her some flowers.
• They give money to charity every month.
• What will you give him for his birthday?

How to use it: give someone something for an occasion (We gave her a bicycle for her birthday.); give something to someone (He gave flowers to his grandmother.)

Similar words: donate, gift

Opposites: receive

Common phrases: give a present, give someone flowers, give to charity

The ability of a material or object to bend or stretch when pressed or pulled.

• This fabric has some give.
• The seat had enough give to feel comfortable.
• There isn't much give in this stiff leather.

How to use it: give in something (There is some give in the fabric.)

Similar words: flexibility, elasticity

Opposites: rigidity

Common phrases: some give, a little give, give in something