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 In dress form, lace is guaranteed to give off a vibe of easy elegance. Nicol Natale, Peoplemag, 8 Apr. 2024 This can give off an entourage effect, where the feeling and benefits are heightened. Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2024 Filled with greenery to reflect its setting inside the city’s Botanical Gardens, the hotel gives off garden party vibes—complete with the people-watching. Mary Winston Nicklin, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 Apr. 2024 Green and red light is given off by interaction with oxygen; blue and purple by nitrogen. Kim Beil, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Mar. 2024 While Monday has been given off to everyone except those that are injured and are following a specific recovery plan, Tuesday has only a voluntary training session. Tom Sanderson, Forbes, 25 Feb. 2024 If your generator makes excessive noise or gives off fumes, it will be shut off. Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 28 Mar. 2024 The silicone is a good level of squishy – firm, yet soft – and gives off a strong, but not too strong, spray. Joel Balsam, Travel + Leisure, 21 Mar. 2024 An infestation will give off a musty, slightly sweet odor, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 12 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'give off.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Dictionary Entries Near give off

Cite this Entry

“Give off.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/give%20off. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

give off

verb
: emit sense 1a
gave off a sweet smell

More from Merriam-Webster on give off

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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