give·away
ˈgiv-ə-ˌwā 
plural giveaways
1
: an unintentional revelation or betrayal
2
a
: something given away free
specifically
: premium sense 1d
b
: the act of giving something away free
staging a promotional giveaway
3
: a radio or television program on which prizes are given away
4
sports
: an error or poor play that allows an opponent to gain control of the ball or puck : a mistake that results in a turnover
As a team the Dolphins have committed a league-low 12 giveaways.—
Jim Trotter
Jim Trotter
gave away; given away; giving away; gives away
1
: to make a present of
2
: to deliver (a bride) ceremonially to the bridegroom at a wedding
4
: to give (something, such as weight) by way of a handicap
Examples of giveaway in a Sentence
Noun
The way she looked at him was a dead giveaway that they were more than just friends.
The store is offering coffee mugs as free giveaways to attract new customers.
The store is staging a promotional giveaway to attract new customers.
Verb
the insincerity of his apology was given away by that slight smirk on his face
gave away all her potted plants when she moved
Recent Examples on the Web
Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 16 May 2025
The Oilers had seven takeaways and only 10 giveaways compared to Vegas getting just one takeaway and 14 giveaways.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 May 2025
Meanwhile, in the U.K., the company has previously given away free Chromebooks, earbuds, watches and now the Galaxy A9 Plus.
—Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for giveaway
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Noun
The reduced revenue from those giveaways can only be made up for by deep cuts in social spending, particularly Medicaid, the insurance program that serves some 70 million lower income and disabled Americans.
—Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 16 May 2025
The Oilers had seven takeaways and only 10 giveaways compared to Vegas getting just one takeaway and 14 giveaways.
—Kilty Cleary, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
Verb
Since 2019, when title sponsor Charles Schwab took over, the tournament has given away a classic car, built from the ground up, every year except the 2020 edition due to COVID-19.
—Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 23 May 2025
Meanwhile, in the U.K., the company has previously given away free Chromebooks, earbuds, watches and now the Galaxy A9 Plus.
—Janhoi McGregor, Forbes.com, 22 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for giveaway
Cite this Entry
“Giveaway.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/giveaway. Accessed 29 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
giveaway
1 of 2 noun
give·away
ˈgiv-ə-ˌwā
1
: an unintentional act of revealing or betraying
his expression was a dead giveaway of his guilt
2
: something that is given away free
3
: an event at which things are given away
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