giveaway

noun give·away \ ˈgiv-ə-ˌwā \

Definition of giveaway

1 :an unintentional revelation or betrayal

2 a :something given away free; specifically :premium 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

See giveaway defined for English-language learners

See giveaway defined for kids

Examples of giveaway in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of giveaway from the Web

And Saturday, Chance plans to have a huge, surprise announcement and giveaways.

— kori rumore, chicagotribune.com, "Bud Billiken Parade 2017: If you go," 10 Aug. 2017
Another stay-frosty tip: Don’t miss the Salt & Straw ice cream giveaway at 2 p.m. Friday.

— dylan tull, The Seattle Times, "360 Video: Seattleites beat the heat," 4 Aug. 2017
Officers welcome people to join them for K-9 demonstrations, music and a DJ, giveaways and games, Westerfield said.

— becky jacobs, Post-Tribune, "National Night Out events 'bring police officers, the community together'," 31 July 2017
The schedule of promotions, events and giveaways at Regions Field looks like this: Wednesday, July 19, 7:05 p.m. - AAA Wednesday presented by AAA of Alabama.

— cheryl wray, AL.com, "Barons back home for promotion-packed five-game series," 18 July 2017
The latter has been framing the health-care bill for weeks now as a tax giveaway to the rich at the expense of the working poor.

— paige winfield cunningham, Washington Post, "The Health 202: There's at least one tax that Republicans appear to like," 12 July 2017
But hundreds of Eatontown residents turned out in opposition, packing borough council meetings last year to protest the Monmouth Mall expansion as a giveaway to Kushner.

— bernard condon, The Seattle Times, "Kushners face heated trial over suburban Jersey mall project," 7 July 2017
Thankfully, Ban.do is doing another giveaway to give U.S. residents a chance to get their hands on the collection.

— lyndsey matthews, Cosmopolitan, "Starbucks Just Launched A Second Collaboration With Ban.do," 5 July 2017
Businesses set up sponsorship tables, offering attendees giveaways.

— karie angell luc, chicagotribune.com, "Concert series at Buffalo Grove Park District serenades area families all summer," 28 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'giveaway.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of giveaway

1882

giveaway Synonyms

Synonyms

bestowal, comp, donation, donative, fairing [British], freebie (or freebee), gift, handsel, lagniappe, largesse (also largess), present, presentation

Related Words

alms, benefaction, beneficence, benevolence, charity, contribution, dole, handout, oblation, offering, philanthropy, tithe; box [British], care package, foy [chiefly Scottish]; grant, subsidy; remembrance, tribute, valentine; bonus, boon, windfall; courtesy, favor, generosity, sacrifice; gratuity, propine [Scottish], tip; award, prize, reward; dowry; bequest, legacy

Near Antonyms

advance, loan; bribe, douceur, peace offering, sop

give away

verb

Definition of give away

transitive verb

1 :to make a present of

2 :to deliver (a bride) ceremonially to the bridegroom at a wedding

3 a :betray

b :disclose, reveal

4 :to give (something, such as weight) by way of a handicap

See give away defined for kids

Examples of give away in a Sentence

the insincerity of his apology was given away by that slight smirk on his face
gave away all her potted plants when she moved

First Known Use of give away

14th century

give away Synonyms

GIVEAWAY Defined for English Language Learners

giveaway

noun

Definition of giveaway for English Language Learners

: something (such as a movement or a facial expression) that clearly shows the truth or existence of something that had not been known
: something that is given away free
: an event at which things are given away