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

The giveaway started Friday, Feb. 7 and runs through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 9. —Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 10 Feb. 2025

The Johnnies finished the game with 18 points off of UConn’s giveaways. —Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 8 Feb. 2025

Verb

What kind of power gives away its leverage before negotiations begin? —Jay Nordlinger, National Review, 18 Feb. 2025

Five minutes before half-time, Jude Bellingham gave away a fairly standard foul. —Richard Amofa, The Athletic, 17 Feb. 2025

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