gift

¹gift

noun \ˈgift\

Definition of GIFT

1

: a notable capacity, talent, or endowment

2

: something voluntarily transferred by one person to another without compensation

3

: the act, right, or power of giving

Examples of GIFT

1. The money was a gift, not a loan.
2. She considers her voice a God-given gift.

Origin of GIFT

Middle English, from Old Norse, something given, talent; akin to Old English giefan to give

First Known Use: 12th century

Related to GIFT

Synonyms: bestowal, comp, donation, donative, fairing [British], freebie (or freebee), giveaway, handsel, lagniappe, largesse (also largess), present, presentation

Related Words: alms, benefaction, beneficence, benevolence, charity, contribution, dole, handout, oblation, offering, philanthropy, tithe; box [British], care package, foy [chiefly Scottish]; grant, subsidy; remembrance, tribute, valentine; bonus, boon, windfall; courtesy, favor, generosity, sacrifice; gratuity, propine [Scottish], tip; award, prize, reward; dowry; bequest, legacy

Near Antonyms: advance, loan; bribe, douceur, peace offering, sop

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Synonym Discussion of GIFT

gift, faculty, aptitude, bent, talent, genius, knack mean a special ability for doing something. gift often implies special favor by God or nature <the gift of singing beautifully>. faculty applies to an innate or less often acquired ability for a particular accomplishment or function <a faculty for remembering names>. aptitude implies a natural liking for some activity and the likelihood of success in it <a mechanical aptitude>. bent is nearly equal to aptitude but it stresses inclination perhaps more than specific ability <a family with an artistic bent>. talent suggests a marked natural ability that needs to be developed <has enough talent to succeed>. genius suggests impressive inborn creative ability <has no great genius for poetry>. knack implies a comparatively minor but special ability making for ease and dexterity in performance <the knack of getting along>.

Rhymes with GIFT

drift, grift, lift, rift, shift, shrift, sift, squiffed, swift, thrift