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

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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

Supported by a gift from the Brewers Association, the museum is constructing this archive for the benefit of scholars, brewers and millions of Americans. — Theresa Mcculla, Smithsonian, "Here’s What’s Brewing in the New Smithsonian Beer Collections," 16 Sep. 2019 Her voice is one of the greatest gifts from God any singer has ever been bestowed with. — Scott Huver, CNN, "Ken Burns on the love and loss of 'Country Music'," 13 Sep. 2019 The center was made possible by a $34 million gift from Dwight and Dian Diercks. — Tom Daykin, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Milwaukee School of Engineering opens new Diercks Center with focus on artificial intelligence, robotics," 13 Sep. 2019 In addition, several top MIT administrators were aware of gifts from Epstein's foundations to the university Media Lab from 2013 to 2017. — Doug Stanglin, USA TODAY, "Harvard says Epstein's $9M donations came before his 2008 guilty plea on sex charges," 13 Sep. 2019 The new model will also expand paid internship opportunities for students on campus and off campus-sites across the country, thanks to a gift from an Hiram graduate. — Mary Kilpatrick, cleveland.com, "Hiram College lowers tuition sticker price," 12 Sep. 2019 Kids will enjoy storybook readings and even get a special gift from St. Nick himself. — Marlisse Cepeda, Country Living, "7 Christmas Train Rides That Will Make Your Holidays Merrier," 10 Sep. 2019 Above Vescovo’s forehead a stuffed penguin—a gift from his sister—perched on a bank of white oxygen tanks that would sustain him through the six-hour dive and days longer, if necessary. — The Economist, "The last of the great explorers," 6 Sep. 2019 But then, out of nowhere, a gift from the Gods. Canned wine. — SI.com, "90min's Definitive European Power Rankings: Week 4," 6 Sep. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

The 79-year-old Farmington Hills resident, an Air Force veteran, was gifted a $20,000 white 2019 Chevrolet Trax through a Twitter philanthropy pledge. — Dixita Limbachia, Detroit Free Press, "Farmington Hills war veteran gifted new car through Twitter giveaway," 9 Aug. 2019 The people of #HongKong are gifted a video of vile threats! — Anna Fifield, Washington Post, "China’s army just released a video showing soldiers practicing shooting protesters," 2 Aug. 2019 The people of #HongKong are gifted a video of vile threats! — Anna Fifield, BostonGlobe.com, "Chinese military in Hong Kong labels protests ‘intolerable’," 1 Aug. 2019 He was even gifted the freedom of the city in 2005. — SI.com, "Sir Bobby Robson: 6 of His Best Moments During a Truly Magnificent Managerial Career," 31 July 2019 Perfect for Halloween parties, desk decor or just gifting the Halloween-loving millennial in your life, these quirky accent pieces are available at Michaels locations across the country, as well as on their website. — Hannah Chubb, PEOPLE.com, "Spooky and Cute! These 'Selfie Skeletons' Are the Most 2019 Halloween Decorations Out There," 11 Sep. 2019 Traditionally a harvest festival held on the day of a full moon in the fall, Mid-Autumn celebrations involve family reunions, admiring the moon, and gifting one another boxes of mooncakes—a disc of flaky pastry usually filled with a thick paste. — Echo Huang, Quartz, "Chinese companies are rolling out fake meat mooncakes this Mid-Autumn Festival," 10 Sep. 2019 Longhorns linebacker Joseph Ossai gifted the offense with a shot at redemption after intercepting Joe Burrow’s tipped pass on the ensuing possession. — Nick Moyle, ExpressNews.com, "Missed opportunities cost Texas chance to make early-season statement," 8 Sep. 2019 Her thoughts turn to a young man who also is artistic, animated, very computer-oriented, gifted at science. — Mark Curnutte, Cincinnati.com, "4 addresses in 4 months: This is what poverty looks like for this Cincinnati family," 10 July 2019

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.

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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

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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.