giveaway

1 of 2

noun

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

give away

2 of 2

verb

gave away; given away; giving away; gives 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

Synonyms

Noun

• bestowal
• comp
• donation
• donative
• fairing [British]
• freebie
• freebee
• gift
• handsel
• lagniappe
• largesse
• largess
• present
• presentation

Verb

• bespeak
• betray
• communicate
• declare
• demonstrate
• display
• evince
• expose
• manifest
• reveal
• show

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

Noun

Immigrants from all over the world are flooding across the state’s southern border drawn by a generous suite of giveaways provided courtesy of the California taxpayer. —Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 22 June 2024

Veterans Benefit Claims Assistance, Eligibility and Enrollment Services, toxic exposure screenings, outreach tables with free giveaways and more will be available to all who attend. —Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 19 June 2024

Verb

Summer is off to a great start for Southwest Airlines, which is giving away free trips to one lucky winner each week for the whole season. —Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 27 June 2024

Ice cream deal:Kroger is giving away 45,000 pints of ice cream for summer Blue Bell’s bracket competitors for flavor return Blueberry Cheesecake vs. Strawberry Cheesecake Cheesecake lovers have a decision to make. —Ahjané Forbes, USA TODAY, 25 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1882, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing giveaway

• dead giveaway
• giveaway price

Kids 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

give away

2 of 2 verb

ˌgiv-ə-ˈwā

1

: to present (a bride) to the bridegroom at a wedding

2

a

: to show unintentionally

b

: disclose, reveal