give
- noun
- /ɡɪv/
- Informal
- Certain behaviors are regarded as characteristically Hawaiian: generosity, gift giving, humility, observing symmetry in exchange.
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Watch on YouTubeThey have some give to them, but not a ton.
- They have some give to them, but not a ton.
- Leg injuries, there's less give and it's hot.
- It feels like freshly dried hair with a little bit of give and volume.
- There's just not all that much give and the suspension, it just feels pretty rough.
- He pulls out some give to your top at the beach.
Examples
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A wide and varied scope of motivations for volunteering and giving was identified in this study.
Academic text (2008) -
The material has an ever so slight give to it, just a little bit of give.
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There's a little give to them, but I like them.
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They have declared their marriage by the giving of rings.
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The rubber band has just the right amount of give to hold the papers together without snapping.
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When I squeeze the sponge, I can feel a little give before it returns to its original shape.
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The fabric is designed with a slight give, making it comfortable to wear all day long.
Synonyms
Ability to bend or change shape without breaking
Ability of a material to return to its original shape after being stretched or squashed
The ability of a material to be pulled without breaking
Being able to bend and move the body easily
A material that goes back to its original shape after being bent, stretched, or squeezed
The ability of something to go back to its shape after being pushed or pulled
Ability of a material to be shaped into a curve without breaking
A body part or material that returns to its shape after stretching
How easily a structure returns to its original shape after it is bent or stretched
The ability to bend or change shape without breaking
Idioms
- Informal
To stop someone from working at their job, usually because of bad work or behavior
- Informal
So generous that they would give almost everything to help others
- Informal
Allowing a small favor makes someone try to take much more than you wanted
- Offensive
A joking way to say someone is not good enough to do something as a job
- Informal
To respond equally strongly when someone attacks or criticizes you
- Archaic
To show you do not respect someone by putting your thumb to your nose and wiggling your fingers
- Informal
Allow someone freedom to show ability or make mistakes that reveal their true character
Tell someone angrily that you are upset with them
Compounds
- Jargon
A basketball move where a player passes the ball then runs toward the basket to get the ball back
How Flexible
Surface Forms
Etymology
Give as a noun comes from the idea of 'yielding' and means how much something will 'let go' or bend. So a cushion with a lot of give has more 'flexibility' or softness.