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give

give

56 7.4
The ability of a material to bend or stretch and return
  • noun
  • /ɡɪv/
  • Informal
translation icon : elasticidad
  • Certain behaviors are regarded as characteristically Hawaiian: generosity, gift giving, humility, observing symmetry in exchange.

They have some give to them, but not a ton.

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Examples

  • 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.

  • There's a little give to them, but I like them.

  • They have declared their marriage by the giving of rings.

  • The rubber band has just the right amount of give to hold the papers together without snapping.

  • When I squeeze the sponge, I can feel a little give before it returns to its original shape.

  • The fabric is designed with a slight give, making it comfortable to wear all day long.

Synonyms

flexibility
vsgive
37 3.0

Ability to bend or change shape without breaking

is mainly about material ability to stretch or bend and recover
stretch
vsgive
  • Specialized
33 2.5

The ability of a material to be pulled without breaking

focuses on ability to bend or extend and return to original form
elasticity
vsgive
  • Specialized
6 4.5

Ability of a material to return to its original shape after being stretched or squashed

is defined as general ability to stretch or bend and return
suppleness
vsgive
1 4.5

Being able to bend and move the body easily

is about material stretchiness and recovery rather than graceful movement
resiliency
vsgive
  • Specialized
1 5.6

A material that goes back to its original shape after being bent, stretched, or squeezed

stresses the basic stretch or bend ability regardless of limits
springiness
vsgive
1 3.8

The ability of something to go back to its shape after being pushed or pulled

is the general capacity to stretch or bend and return slowly or quickly
elastica
vsgive
  • Specialized
8.3

A body part or material that returns to its shape after stretching

focuses on the general property of stretching and bending
elastance
vsgive
  • Specialized
9.9

How easily a structure returns to its original shape after it is bent or stretched

is the broader ability to stretch or bend and then recover
flexibleness
vsgive
4.1

The ability to bend or change shape without breaking

focuses on elastic recovery after deformation rather than just bending
bendability
vsgive
5.8

Ability of a material to be shaped into a curve without breaking

adds the idea of returning to original shape after bending

Idioms

61 4.0

About an amount that may be a little more or less

37 8.1

To scold someone very strongly for something they did

give me a break
  • Informal
22 7.9

Ask someone to stop criticizing or asking too much of you

To make someone stop and think carefully before deciding

12 3.1

A situation where people both accept and give up things to make an agreement

12 7.4

To stop someone from working at their job, usually because of bad work or behavior

to give a hoot
  • Archaic
9 8.1

To not care at all about something

9 9.9

To care at all about something

To accept some demands while giving up some of your own

Tell someone angrily that they did something wrong

5 8.1

Show no attention or respect to someone

4 8.5

To tell someone to leave their job or to stop using something

4 8.1

To die or stop working after a long time of problems

To try as hard as possible using all your energy

3 8.1

Agree to too much in a deal and lose money

To respond equally strongly when someone attacks or criticizes you

Respond to an attack or criticism with equal force

Look at someone in a way that shows romantic or sexual interest

Let someone act freely until they make a mistake

to give 110%
  • Informal
2 6.4

To try as hard as possible and do more than people expect

2 9.5

To not care at all about something

1 9.9

To not care at all about something

to give ear
  • Archaic
1 6.2

To listen carefully to someone

1 8.7

Tell someone angrily that they did something wrong

To admit that someone has good points even if you dislike them

1 9.9

To make someone very annoyed or angry

1 9.9

To not care at all about something, usually in negative sentences

1 9.9

To say in rude language that someone does not care at all

Speak up for people who cannot be heard

1 9.9

To make someone very angry or upset

To act as if you are better than other people

So generous that they would give almost everything to help others

A joking way to say someone is not good enough to do something as a job

to give a hang
  • Archaic
9.3

To not care at all about something, used only in negative sentences

To do well in front of others in a difficult situation

Allowing a small favor makes someone try to take much more than you wanted

Not care at all about something

to give a snook
  • Archaic
9.9

To show you do not respect someone by putting your thumb to your nose and wiggling your fingers

7.7

Angrily tell someone they did something wrong

To throw something away and stop using it

8.7

Allow someone freedom to show ability or make mistakes that reveal their true character

Try as hard as possible to do something well

9.9

Make an angry, unhappy face to show you are annoyed

Tell someone angrily that you are upset with them

3.8

Put in as much effort and energy as possible

Make yourself stop worrying and start thinking clearly

To make someone very worried or stressed

Allow someone to act freely and make their own choices

To end a relationship or stop someone from working for you

To look at someone with interest to judge or admire them

Look at someone to show romantic or sexual interest

9.9

To end a relationship with a boyfriend or girlfriend

Compounds

A friendly exchange of ideas and jokes

give-and-go
  • Jargon
2 5.3

A basketball move where a player passes the ball then runs toward the basket to get the ball back

How Flexible

flexibility
37 3.0
give
  • Informal
56 7.4
rigidity
  • Specialized
3 6.0

Surface Forms

give singular
gives plural

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.