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
Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 23 Apr. 2025
Today’s giveaways put OpenAI and companies like it only further in the red for now, but maybe not in the long run.
—Lila Shroff, The Atlantic, 21 Apr. 2025
Andy McCullough, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Semicolon highlights minority authors and gives away books to Chicago-area students, free of charge.
—Grace Harrington, People.com, 26 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for giveaway
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Noun
The longtime community leader ran food giveaways with the rapper Jim Jones, friends said.
—Kerry Burke, New York Daily News, 23 Apr. 2025
Today’s giveaways put OpenAI and companies like it only further in the red for now, but maybe not in the long run.
—Lila Shroff, The Atlantic, 21 Apr. 2025
Verb
The line stretched down Vin Scully Avenue about five hours before the pitch at Dodger Stadium on April 2, with fans queued up for the first of five Ohtani bobbleheads to be given away this season.
—Andy McCullough, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025
Semicolon highlights minority authors and gives away books to Chicago-area students, free of charge.
—Grace Harrington, People.com, 26 Apr. 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 7 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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