First Known Use: 12th century
Dictionary
1gift
noun \ˈgift\
: something that is given to another person or to a group or organization
: a special ability
Full Definition of GIFT
1
: a notable capacity, talent, or endowment
2
: something voluntarily transferred by one person to another without compensation
3
: the act, right, or power of giving
See gift defined for English-language learners
See gift defined for kids
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Origin of GIFT
Middle English, from Old Norse, something given, talent; akin to Old English giefan to give
Related to GIFT
Synonym Discussion of GIFT
gift, faculty, aptitude, bent, talent, genius, knack mean a special ability for doing something. gift often implies special favor by God or nature <the gift of singing beautifully>. faculty applies to an innate or less often acquired ability for a particular accomplishment or function <a faculty for remembering names>. aptitude implies a natural liking for some activity and the likelihood of success in it <a mechanical aptitude>. bent is nearly equal to aptitude but it stresses inclination perhaps more than specific ability <a family with an artistic bent>. talent suggests a marked natural ability that needs to be developed <has enough talent to succeed>. genius suggests impressive inborn creative ability <has no great genius for poetry>. knack implies a comparatively minor but special ability making for ease and dexterity in performance <the knack of getting along>.
2gift
verb
: to present (someone) with a gift
Full Definition of GIFT
transitive verb
1
: to endow with some power, quality, or attribute
See gift defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of GIFT
circa 1550
GIFT
abbreviation
Definition of GIFT
gamete intrafallopian transfer; gamete intrafallopian tube transfer
GIFTS Defined for Kids
gift
noun \ˈgift\
Definition of GIFT for Kids
1
: a special ability : talent <a gift for music>
2
: something given : present <I gave my mother her birthday gift.>
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