gift

noun \ ˈgift \

|Updated on: 6 Aug 2018

Tip: Synonym Guide

Examples: gift in a Sentence

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

See gift defined for English-language learners

See gift defined for kids

Examples of gift in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of gift from the Web

On June 4, Davis was overwhelmed by the surprise gift of a 2014 Mazda tweaked to showroom condition.

— diane bell, sandiegouniontribune.com, "When Hoover High cafeteria worker's story goes viral, her 'other life' is revealed," 13 July 2018
Solid & Striped Swim Team 2018 The Elsa Bikini Top $54, Moda Operandi $54 (was $90, now 40% off) First up, a bunch of 40 percent off bathing suits from Solid & Striped from the gift that keeps on giving, a.k.a.

— the editors, The Cut, "41 Things on Sale You’ll Actually Want to Buy: From Miu Miu to Missoni," 13 July 2018
One of the greatest gifts is the intense appreciation for things that bring peace, calm, and comfort.

— BostonGlobe.com, "Letters to the editor of the Globe Magazine," 13 July 2018
The elite physical gifts were there from the beginning, with Humphreys thriving in jump-ball situations thanks to his 6-foot-5, 210-pound frame.

— andrew turner, latimes.com, "CdM’s John Humphreys a person of interest for college football recruiters," 12 July 2018
Given the gift of facing the dreadful Baltimore Orioles for a second time this season — thanks to a torrential rainstorm May 15 that postponed the game by nearly two months — Pivetta didn’t allow a hit until the sixth inning.

— scott lauber, Philly.com, "Nick Pivetta picks up much-needed win in Phillies' victory over Orioles," 12 July 2018
One of the most significant gifts of my childhood was a small white AM transistor radio my best friend bought for my birthday in 1974.

— nancy baym, WIRED, "Book Excerpt: How Music Fans Built the Internet," 10 July 2018
Harry reportedly spent roughly £8,000 on the book The sweet gift was inspired by Harry's childhood memories, a source told The Sun.

— maggie maloney, Town & Country, "Prince Harry Reportedly Bought the Sweetest Christening Gift for Prince Louis," 9 July 2018
How Lees Ferry came to be (Photo: Scott Craven/The Republic) Lees Ferry is a geological gift of wide, flat, accessible land on both sides of the Colorado River.

— scott craven, azcentral, "Lees Ferry: Gateway to Grand Canyon rafting and the Colorado River," 9 July 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.

Origin and Etymology of gift

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

gift Synonyms

Synonyms

aptitude, bent, endowment, faculty, flair, genius, head, knack, talent;

Near Antonyms

disability, handicap, inability, incapacity;

shortcoming, weakness;

ear, eye, mind, nose;

feel, hang, instinct, touch, way;

capability, competence, facility, proficiency, skill;

capacity, potential, power;

forte, specialty;

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

gift

verb

Definition of gift

gifted; gifting; gifts

transitive verb

1 : to endow with some power, quality, or attribute

She's been gifted with a beautiful voice.

2 a : 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

—

giftee

play \ˌgif-ˈtē\ noun

See gift defined for English-language learners

Examples of gift in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of gift from the Web

After waiting for three years for a new album, their heroes finally gifted them yesterday with not one, but two new tracks.

— paige williams, Billboard, "Twenty One Pilots' 'Trench': Decoding the Clues They've Left About Their New Album," 12 July 2018
Samford gifted him his eternal best friend and wife, Jessica Morris.

— OrlandoSentinel.com, "Deaths in Central Florida: 7/7," 7 July 2018
For just around the same cost of an in-ground pool, White could seriously gift you the backyard oasis of your dreams.

— taylor mead, House Beautiful, "This Company Can Turn Your Backyard Into A Beach Oasis," 5 July 2018
The Indianapolis Indians gifted the more than 14,000 fans in attendance on the Fourth of July a 4-2 victory against the Louisville Bats.

— jordan guskey, Indianapolis Star, "Indianapolis Indians win Fourth of July game against Louisville Bats," 4 July 2018
Some lax passing in midfield nearly gifted Russia with a rare chance, but Smolov chose the wrong pass and Golovin was closed down before committing a foul.

— sean drury, Pro Soccer USA, "Spain 1-1 Russia (3-4 pens): Hosts shock La Roja in PKs after dogged defensive display," 1 July 2018
Then, about a month later on July 27, 2017, Offset gifted Cardi with a custom $60K diamond chain.

— mariah smith, The Cut, "A Detailed History of Cardi B and Offset’s Tumultuous Relationship," 27 June 2018
French President Emmanuel Macron gifted the American people with an oak sapling from Belleau Wood on his visit to the White House in April.

— erik brady, USA TODAY, "How old is former NFL coach Marv Levy? His dad was wounded in World War I," 27 June 2018
The Army gifted us with iconic buildings in a great location.

— spud hilton, SFChronicle.com, "SF’s newest hotel may have best view in town," 18 June 2018

Origin and Etymology of gift

see ¹gift

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1550

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

gift Synonyms

GIFT

abbreviation

Definition of GIFT

gamete intrafallopian transfer; gamete intrafallopian tube transfer

GIFT Defined for English Language Learners

gift

noun

Definition of gift for English Language Learners

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

gift

verb

Definition of gift for English Language Learners

: to present (someone) with a gift

GIFT Defined for Kids

gift

noun \ ˈgift \

Definition of gift for Students

1 : a special ability : talent

a gift for music

2 : something given : present

I gave my mother her birthday gift.

Medical Dictionary

GIFT

abbreviation

medical Definition of GIFT

gamete intrafallopian transfer; gamete intrafallopian tube transfer

Law Dictionary

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.