give off

verb

gave off; given off; giving off; gives off

transitive verb

1
: to send out as a branch
2
: emit
gave off an unpleasant smell

intransitive verb

: to branch off

Examples of give off in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Oxygen emits either a greenish-yellow light (the most familiar color of the aurora) or a red light; nitrogen generally gives off a blue light. Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 20 Aug. 2025 Since this dark core gives off no light, astronomers initially thought the cluster was packed with dark matter. Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 19 Aug. 2025 Your dream customer adding their thoughtful words gives off big signals that your post is a good one. Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025 UPEs are tiny amounts of light given off by living tissues, something researchers have known about for decades. Jenny Lehmann, Discover Magazine, 28 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for give off

Word History

First Known Use

1831, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of give off was in 1831

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Cite this Entry

“Give off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/give%20off. Accessed 27 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

give off

verb
: emit sense 1a
gave off a sweet smell

More from Merriam-Webster on give off

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