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.
Access can be based on teacher recommendation or certain test scores, including some exams that are only given off-campus. Lexi Lonas Cochran, The Hill, 8 Oct. 2025 Plant them with chives, which give off an oniony odor that pests don’t like. Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 6 Oct. 2025 The designer might give off a rock star vibe with her nonchalant image, but deep inside, craftsmanship is near and dear to her heart, like the thousands of vinyl records she’s collected throughout her career. Hikmat Mohammed, Footwear News, 6 Oct. 2025 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, 6 Oct. 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 17 Oct. 2025.

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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