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
Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Luckin’s website and social media accounts are promoting the openings with discounts and giveaways.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 30 June 2025
Phoebe Liu, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
The problem is that your idealism is aroused and you might be tempted to give away the farm.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for giveaway
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Noun
Do Exclusive Giveaways And Conduct Follow-Up Bake exclusivity into a giveaway and track which loyal customers take advantage.
—Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Luckin’s website and social media accounts are promoting the openings with discounts and giveaways.
—Jordan Valinsky, CNN Money, 30 June 2025
Verb
Bezos is one of America’s top givers by dollar amount, per Forbes’ calculations, having given away more than $4 billion during his lifetime to climate, housing and education causes, as well as the Smithsonian and the Obama Foundation.
—Phoebe Liu, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
The problem is that your idealism is aroused and you might be tempted to give away the farm.
—Georgia Nicols, Denver Post, 28 June 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 8 Jul. 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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