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

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

²gift

transitive verb

Definition of GIFT

1

: to endow with some power, quality, or attribute

2

: present <gifted her with flowers>

— gift·ee \ˌgif-ˈtē\ noun

Examples of GIFT

1. <gifted with an uncanny ability to persuade people to do things they ordinarily wouldn't>

First Known Use of GIFT

circa 1550

Related to GIFT

Synonyms

bless, endue (or indue), favor, endow, invest

Related Words

equip, provide, supply; bestow (on or upon), clothe, confer (on), cover; accord, award, grant; empower, enable, enhance, enrich, heighten; bequeath, will

Near Antonyms

dispossess, divest, strip; deplete, drain, exhaust; skimp, stint

GIFT

abbreviation

Definition of GIFT

gamete intrafallopian transfer; gamete intrafallopian tube transfer