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
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
Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 6 Mar. 2025
His mother, Kaylah Smith, honored him with a giveaway of new toys, hats, scarves and gloves at a North Philadelphia community center, WTXF reported.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 5 Mar. 2025
CBS News, 2 Mar. 2025
Petals Edge Floral Design in Old Town was gifted over 750 roses by its wholesaler, Potomac Floral, to give away this week.
—Anna Spiegel, Axios, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for giveaway
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Noun
After turning the ball over 25 times in the first matchup in Milwaukee, UConn had just eight giveaways Wednesday night, only three in the second half.
—Joe Arruda, Hartford Courant, 6 Mar. 2025
His mother, Kaylah Smith, honored him with a giveaway of new toys, hats, scarves and gloves at a North Philadelphia community center, WTXF reported.
—Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 5 Mar. 2025
Verb
Under the Biden administration, billions of dollars were given away with very little accountability and no mission - no end state.
—CBS News, 2 Mar. 2025
Petals Edge Floral Design in Old Town was gifted over 750 roses by its wholesaler, Potomac Floral, to give away this week.
—Anna Spiegel, Axios, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for giveaway
Cite this Entry
“Giveaway.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/giveaway. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.
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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