giveaway
[giv-uh-wey]
- an act or instance of giving something away.
- something that is given away, especially as a gift or premium: A pocket calculator was offered as a giveaway with every new subscription to the magazine.
- a radio or television program on which prizes are given away to contestants in a question-and-answer game.
- a tax law or other legislation designed to benefit one segment of the population, one area or state, etc.: a giveaway that benefited only the very rich.
- an unscrupulous deal, especially one that benefits some while defrauding others.
- Sports. any careless loss of possession of a ball, puck, etc., or other offensive lapse that leads to a score by the opponent.
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- constituting a giveaway: a giveaway newspaper.
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Origin of giveaway
1870–75, Americanism; noun use of verb phrase give away
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for giveaway
Contemporary Examples
His giveaway with 37 seconds to go in the Portugal match cost the U.S. the game and an easy trek into the next round.
USA vs. Germany World Cup Primer: Everything You Need to Know About the Epic ShowdownMarlow Stern
June 26, 2014
Frills were kept to a minimum, and anything in the clothes piles with the word “Princess” on it ended up in the giveaway box.
In her hand she held a silk map of the region, given to agents to avoid the giveaway rustle of paper in pockets.
(Giveaway movie moment: the nine-foot gator that washed into a Tampa swimming pool).
The Ultimate Audience Freak-Out What would an Oprah giveaway be without tears and hysteria?
Historical Examples
Showing more than a normal interest would have been a giveaway.
The K-FactorHarry Harrison (AKA Henry Maxwell Dempsey)
I almost halted in alarm, but that might have been a giveaway.
The Old Die RichHorace Leonard Gold
But in spite of the giveaway, Ingolby was getting them where they were soft-fairly drugging them with good news.
The World For Sale, CompleteGilbert Parker
Only his hands were a giveaway; they were stained with yellow and black stains that looked completely out of place on the man.
The Professional ApproachCharles Leonard Harness
Even the way they shake whenever they come out of the mud is a giveaway—what better way to seed their crop far and wide?
The Native SoilAlan Edward Nourse
Word Origin and History for giveaway
n.
also give-away, "act of giving away," 1872, from phrase give away, c.1400 (of brides, from 1719); meaning "to betray, expose, reveal" is 1878, originally U.S. slang.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper