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
Synonyms
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 WebTom Krisher, Fortune, 3 May 2024
The Biden administration’s utterly lawless record and ad hoc amnesties, work-permit giveaways, and special-status awards to Venezuelans, Cubans, and Nicaraguans mean that appeals to the rules will not work.
—The Editors, National Review, 3 May 2024
What: Specials on Crazy Norse all night, giveaways, trophy presentation at 7 p.m.
Why: Because beer is good.
—Rasputin Todd, The Enquirer, 3 May 2024
This year marks the fifth anniversary of the annual holiday-centric convention, so the event will be filled with extra special giveaways and special merchandise.
—Breanne L. Heldman, Peoplemag, 3 May 2024
Que Fresa Taqueria + Bar and Que Onda Tacos + Tequila
Location: Multiple
Date: May 5
Time: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Sister restaurants Que Fresa and Que Onda are bringing the fiesta to all of its locations across Charlotte with margarita specials, giveaways and live DJs.
—Chyna Blackmon, Charlotte Observer, 2 May 2024
Besides $25 tickets, Live Nation will offer other special deals, promotions and giveaways for fans.
—Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 1 May 2024
The Fort Worth location will have vendors, music and giveaways, while the Weatherford store will have promotional giveaways.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Apr. 2024
Reservations aren't required, though the child must be present for the car seat inspection and free giveaway.
—Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 17 Apr. 2024
David Fear, Rolling Stone, 26 Apr. 2024
So far, no sweetener has accomplished that trick; off flavors that sometimes linger always give away the ruse.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 26 Apr. 2024
Data from the county's Adopt-a-Tree program did not indicate the number of trees given away.
—Alyssa Johnson, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2024
Whether giving away software or manufacturing chips designed by others as a separate business, both Microsoft and Intel faced competitors doing things differently.
—Bygeoff Colvin, Fortune, 20 Apr. 2024
Raise the age from thirteen to sixteen to do what exactly?
To be treated as an adult who does not need parents’ permission to sign a contract and give away your data.
—David Remnick, The New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2024
Great Harvest still has a location in Lawrence. Duck Donuts will celebrate its opening by giving away a dozen free doughnuts per month for a year to the first customer in line, according to a release.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 15 Apr. 2024
Drake Surprises Fan with Brand-New Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon — Worth at Least $139K — at Toronto Show
During another tour stop in his hometown of Toronto in October, Drake gave away a Mercedes-Benz G-Class car to an unsuspecting concertgoer at the Scotiabank Arena.
—Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 8 Apr. 2024
Part of the centers’ success comes from a willingness to reuse: The Aarhus Facebook group for giving away items is over 82,000 people strong.
—Cameron Pugh, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Apr. 2024
Noun
The National Mining Association slammed the new exemptions as a giveaway to China.
—Tom Krisher, Fortune, 3 May 2024
The Biden administration’s utterly lawless record and ad hoc amnesties, work-permit giveaways, and special-status awards to Venezuelans, Cubans, and Nicaraguans mean that appeals to the rules will not work.
—The Editors, National Review, 3 May 2024
What: Specials on Crazy Norse all night, giveaways, trophy presentation at 7 p.m.
Why: Because beer is good.
—Rasputin Todd, The Enquirer, 3 May 2024
This year marks the fifth anniversary of the annual holiday-centric convention, so the event will be filled with extra special giveaways and special merchandise.
—Breanne L. Heldman, Peoplemag, 3 May 2024
Que Fresa Taqueria + Bar and Que Onda Tacos + Tequila
Location: Multiple
Date: May 5
Time: 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Sister restaurants Que Fresa and Que Onda are bringing the fiesta to all of its locations across Charlotte with margarita specials, giveaways and live DJs.
—Chyna Blackmon, Charlotte Observer, 2 May 2024
Besides $25 tickets, Live Nation will offer other special deals, promotions and giveaways for fans.
—Ed Masley, The Arizona Republic, 1 May 2024
The Fort Worth location will have vendors, music and giveaways, while the Weatherford store will have promotional giveaways.
—Brayden Garcia, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 18 Apr. 2024
Reservations aren't required, though the child must be present for the car seat inspection and free giveaway.
—Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, 17 Apr. 2024
Verb
Because, without giving away too much, things stop before they really get started, but not before something else is finally consummated.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 26 Apr. 2024
So far, no sweetener has accomplished that trick; off flavors that sometimes linger always give away the ruse.
—Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 26 Apr. 2024
Data from the county's Adopt-a-Tree program did not indicate the number of trees given away.
—Alyssa Johnson, Miami Herald, 22 Apr. 2024
Whether giving away software or manufacturing chips designed by others as a separate business, both Microsoft and Intel faced competitors doing things differently.
—Bygeoff Colvin, Fortune, 20 Apr. 2024
Raise the age from thirteen to sixteen to do what exactly?
To be treated as an adult who does not need parents’ permission to sign a contract and give away your data.
—David Remnick, The New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2024
Great Harvest still has a location in Lawrence. Duck Donuts will celebrate its opening by giving away a dozen free doughnuts per month for a year to the first customer in line, according to a release.
—Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 15 Apr. 2024
Drake Surprises Fan with Brand-New Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon — Worth at Least $139K — at Toronto Show
During another tour stop in his hometown of Toronto in October, Drake gave away a Mercedes-Benz G-Class car to an unsuspecting concertgoer at the Scotiabank Arena.
—Charlotte Phillipp, Peoplemag, 8 Apr. 2024
Part of the centers’ success comes from a willingness to reuse: The Aarhus Facebook group for giving away items is over 82,000 people strong.
—Cameron Pugh, The Christian Science Monitor, 10 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'giveaway.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Cite this Entry
“Giveaway.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/giveaway. Accessed 7 May. 2024.
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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