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Definition of gift noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

gift

noun
 
/ɡɪft/
 
/ɡɪft/
Idioms
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  1. a thing that you give to somebody, especially on a special occasion or to say thank you synonym present
    • to give/receive a gift
    • a Christmas/birthday/wedding gift
    • Thank you for your generous gift.
    • gift from somebody The watch was a gift from my mother.
    • gift for somebody a free gift for every reader
    • gift to somebody This dinner is my gift to you.
    • gift of something gifts of toys for the children
    • By becoming a blood donor you will be making a vital gift of life to someone else.
    • (formal) The family made a gift of his paintings to the gallery.
    • as a gift She gave me the book as a gift.
    Extra Examples
    • Her parents brought a set of spoons as a gift.
    • Here are ten great gift ideas for your friends.
    • Please accept this small gift.
    • She received lavish gifts of clothes and perfume.
    • These little boxes make perfect hostess gifts.
    • They gave each other gifts at Christmas.
    • a gift set of shampoo, soap and hand cream
    • the problem of what to do with unwanted gifts
    • The party was originally funded by a gift of £50 000 from a top motor manufacturer.
    Topics Shoppinga2
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • generous
    • kind
    • thoughtful
    verb + gift
    • bear
    • bestow
    • bring (somebody)
    gift + noun
    • shop
    • wrap
    • card
    preposition
    • as a gift
    • gift for
    • gift from
    phrases
    • shower gifts on somebody
    • shower somebody with gifts
    See full entry
  2. a natural ability synonym talent
    • She can pick up a tune instantly on the piano. It's a gift.
    • He knew from an early age he had a special gift.
    • gift for something She showed a natural gift for comedy.
    • gift for doing something He has a gift for making friends easily.
    • gift as somebody his great gifts as a teacher
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • amazing
    • extraordinary
    • great
    verb + gift
    • have
    • possess
    preposition
    • gift for
    See full entry
  3. [usually singular] (informal) a thing that is very easy to do or cheap to buy
    • Their second goal was an absolute gift.
    • At £500 it's a gift.
  4. Word OriginMiddle English: from Old Norse gipt; related to give.
Idioms
be in the gift of somebody | be in somebody’s gift
  1. (especially British English) if something such as an important job or a special right or advantage is in somebody’s gift, that person can decide who to give it to
    • All such posts are in the gift of the managing director (= only given by the managing director).
the gift of the gab (British English)
(US English a gift for/of gab)
  1. (informal, sometimes disapproving) the ability to speak easily and to persuade other people with your words
    • Joe’s got the gift of the gab—he can sell anything.
    Topics Discussion and agreementc2
God’s gift (to somebody/something)
  1. (ironic) a person who thinks that they are particularly good at something or who thinks that somebody will find them particularly attractive
    • He seems to think he's God's gift to women.
look a gift horse in the mouth
  1. (usually with negatives) (informal) to refuse or criticize something that is given to you for nothing
    • I’m never one to look a gift horse in the mouth.
See gift in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee gift in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
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