gift

noun

\ ˈgift

Definition of gift

(Entry 1 of 3)

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

gift

verb

gifted; gifting; gifts

Definition of gift (Entry 2 of 3)

transitive verb

1 : to endow with some power, quality, or attribute She's been gifted with a beautiful voice.

2a : to make a gift of It makes an excellent choice whether you're gifting one bottle for the honeymoon or a case to be savored for years, or even decades, to come.— Robert Taylor

b : present gifted her with flowers In this, her ninth novel, she has succeeded in gifting us with a story that will stay with us for a long time.— Dorothy Rochmis

GIFT

abbreviation

Definition of GIFT (Entry 3 of 3)

gamete intrafallopian transfer; gamete intrafallopian tube transfer

Other Words from gift Synonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about gift

Keep scrolling for more

Choose the Right Synonym for gift

Noun

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

Examples of gift in a Sentence

Noun

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

Verb

gifted with an uncanny ability to persuade people to do things they ordinarily wouldn't

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

As a result, generous parents, grandparents and others need to take a new look at the income-tax effects of making gifts to young people. — WSJ, "WSJ Tax Guide 2019: The ‘Kiddie Tax’," 15 Feb. 2019 Of course, everyone is different, and tangible gifts aren't always the answer. — Selena Barrientos, Good Housekeeping, "These Creative Gifts and Gestures Are the Best Ways to Say "I Love You"," 27 Jan. 2019 Here are other great (very) last-minute Hanukkah gifts. — Taylor Mead, House Beautiful, "This Homesick Hanukkah Candle Legit Smells Like Potato Latkes And A Hint Of Jelly Donuts," 4 Dec. 2018 But for the impending nuptials of actor Priyanka Chopra and singer Nick Jonas, let’s just say the welcome gifts were a little fancier than some water and chips. — Kim Quindlen, Teen Vogue, "Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas's Wedding Weekend Welcomed Guests With an Elaborate Gift," 30 Nov. 2018 To help you get started, here are 21 books published this year that would make great holiday gifts. — Nina Bahadur, SELF, "21 Best Books of 2018 to Buy for the Bookworm in Your Life," 15 Nov. 2018 For a larger party, simple gifts such as delicate ornaments are a wonderful way to leave everyone with a sentimental token to remember the evening. — Lucia Tonelli, ELLE Decor, "A Celebrity Event Planner’s Secrets for the Best Holiday Party Ever," 10 Oct. 2018 The gifts were on display Monday in the Hornets’ Las Vegas Summer League loss to the Boston Celtics. — Vince Ellis, Detroit Free Press, "Position-less hoops could allow MSU's Miles Bridges to flourish in NBA," 11 July 2018 The act of using food to bring family together is a gift like no other. — Bethany Jean Clement, The Seattle Times, "In honor of the Oscars, we asked Seattle chefs to name their picks for all-time Best Food Film," 20 Feb. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Following her extra special first birthday party, which included the creation of theme park #StormiWorld in her honor, baby Stormi was gifted a glitzy diamond chain by her father, Travis Scott. — Amy Mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, "Kylie Jenner & Travis Scott Just Gave Stormi the Most Precious Lightning Bolt Necklace," 17 Feb. 2019 In the second dramatic finish to a World Cup match on Friday, Iran was gifted a 1-0 win over Morocco in Group B because of Bouhaddouz's own-goal in the fifth minute of injury time. — Steve Douglas, chicagotribune.com, "Iran upend Morocco on Bouhaddouz late own goal," 15 June 2018 Princess Louise, Queen Victoria's daughter, gifted the pony to the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (the organization that would later become The Royal Regiment of Scotland) in 1929. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "Queen Elizabeth and Prince Harry Have Both Had Run-ins with Cruachan, the Mischevious Shetland Pony," 17 Jan. 2019 Australia's Sir Peter Cosgrove and his wife gifted the couple with a few gifts honoring the host country. — Erica Gonzales, Harper's BAZAAR, "Meghan Markle Speaks Out About Her Pregnancy for the First Time," 15 Oct. 2018 According to an Instagram post made on her birthday, Travis Scott gifted the reality star with a vintage Rolls Royce. — De Elizabeth, Teen Vogue, "Travis Scott Gave Kylie Jenner a Vintage Rolls Royce for Her 21st Birthday," 11 Aug. 2018 To mark the special occasion, Meghan gifted her six best friends and sister-in-law Kate Middleton with a momento: a beautiful gold disc bracelet. — Marina Liao, Marie Claire, "You, Too, Can Have the Bracelet Meghan Markle Gave Kate Middleton," 21 May 2018 In 2016, Ulukaya gifted his employees 10 percent of the company. — Rani Molla, Recode, "Chobani CEO Hamdi Ulukaya says he would consider going public — but won’t sell to an industry giant," 18 Sep. 2018 Eventually, it was passed down to Queen Elizabeth, who later gifted it as a wedding present to her daughter-in-law Princess Diana. — Elise Taylor, Vogue, "The History Behind Kate Middleton’s Stunning State Banquet Jewels," 23 Oct. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'gift.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for gift

gift

noun

English Language Learners Definition of gift

(Entry 1 of 2)

: something that is given to another person or to a group or organization

: a special ability

gift

verb

English Language Learners Definition of gift (Entry 2 of 2)

: to present (someone) with a gift

See the full definition for gift in the English Language Learners Dictionary

gift

noun

\ ˈgift

Kids Definition of gift

1 : a special ability : talent a gift for music

2 : something given : present I gave my mother her birthday gift.

GIFT

abbreviation

Medical Definition of GIFT

gamete intrafallopian transfer; gamete intrafallopian tube transfer

Keep scrolling for more

gift

noun

Legal Definition of gift

1 : an intentional and gratuitous transfer of real or personal property by a donor with legal capacity who actually or constructively delivers the property to the donee with the intent of giving up dominion over the property and investing it in the donee who accepts it broadly : a voluntary transfer of property without compensation — see also delivery — compare donation, sale

— class gift

: a usually testamentary gift of a sum to a group of unspecified persons whose number and identity and share of the gift will be determined sometime in the future (as at the death of the donor)

— completed gift

: a gift in which the dominion and control of the property is placed beyond the donor's reach

— gift causa mortis \ -ˈkȯ-zə-ˈmȯr-tis, -ˈkau̇-sä-ˈmȯr-tēs \ plural gifts causa mortis

: a gift of especially personal property made in contemplation of impending death that is delivered with the intent that the gift take effect only in the event of the donor's death and that it be revoked in the event of survival — compare donation inter vivos and donation mortis causa at donation, gift inter vivos and testamentary gift in this entry

— gift inter vivos \ -ˈin-tər-ˈvī-vōs; -ˈin-ter-ˈvē-vōs, -ˈwē-wōs \ plural gifts inter vivos

: a gift made during the lifetime of the donor and delivered with the intent of surrendering immediately and irrevocably dominion and control over the property — compare donation inter vivos at donation, gift causa mortis and testamentary gift in this entry

— gift over plural gifts over

: a gift especially by will of property that takes effect upon the termination or failure of a preceding estate (as a life estate) in the property

— manual gift

: a gift especially under the civil law of Louisiana made of a movable corporeal object by actual delivery and involving no formalities

— split gift

: a gift made by a spouse to a third person that for purposes of gift tax may be considered as given one-half by each spouse to take advantage of tax avoidance devices (as the annual exclusion)

— substitutional gift \ ˌsəb-stə-ˈtü-shə-nəl-, -ˈtyü- \

: a gift to a legatee or devisee in substitution for another devisee or legatee who cannot take under the will (as because of death)

— called also substitute gift

— testamentary gift

: a gift that does not become effective until the death of the donor specifically : a gift made in a will — compare gift causa mortis and gift inter vivos in this entry

2 : something voluntarily transferred without compensation

3 : a transfer of property for less than adequate consideration other than in the ordinary course of business —used in the law of gift tax

Note: The amount by which the value of property so transferred exceeds the consideration paid is included in the total amount of taxable gifts made during a calendar year.