giveaway

[ giv-uh-wey ]

/ ˈgɪv əˌweɪ /

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See synonyms for: giveaway / giveaways on Thesaurus.com

noun

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.

adjective

constituting a giveaway: a giveaway newspaper.

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Origin of giveaway

1870–75, Americanism; noun use of verb phrase give away

Words nearby giveaway

give an inch and they'll take a mile, give a pain, give a piece of one's mind, give as good as one gets, give a shit, giveaway, give a wide berth, giveback, give bad marks to, give birth to, give chase

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use giveaway in a sentence

The idea of brand and cash giveaways is not a new one, of course.
‘Anonymous’ fintech startup Millions raises $3 million, gives away cash on Twitter|Sarah Perez|February 2, 2021|TechCrunch
We're still early in the process of selecting and notifying winners of our swag giveaway, so don't fret if you haven't heard if you're a winner yet.
Ars readers gave a record $58,000 in 2020 Charity Drive|Kyle Orland|January 6, 2021|Ars Technica
When the group started the food giveaways in March, it served about 40 families, said Raleigh Miller, a volunteer.
On a covid Christmas, a new routine for feeding the homeless|Paul Schwartzman|December 25, 2020|Washington Post
It’s a financial giveaway to the “haves” — the property owners and developers who have the real power at City Hall.
What the Census Taught Me About the NIMBY vs. YIMBY Debate|Paul Krueger|December 14, 2020|Voice of San Diego

Given the benefits of college education, canceling student debt appears to some as a giveaway for those who are already on their way to becoming well-off.
The Morality Of Canceling Student Debt|LGBTQ-Editor|December 6, 2020|No Straight News
Of course, the loud buzzing of such drones and towels being blown away would have been a dead giveaway to the pool girls.
Anatomy of a Drone Porn: ‘Drone Boning’ Makes Sex Look Like Art|Aurora Snow|November 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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 Showdown|Marlow Stern|June 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Frills were kept to a minimum, and anything in the clothes piles with the word “Princess” on it ended up in the giveaway box.
Why I Finally Let My Girls Be Girly|Andy Hinds|May 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The usual giveaway: they carry their shoulder bags with the straps across the body, leaving both hands free.
Roma Immigrants Have Set France on Edge|Christopher Dickey, Alice Guilhamon|October 4, 2013|DAILY BEAST
In her hand she held a silk map of the region, given to agents to avoid the giveaway rustle of paper in pockets.
World War II’s Most Glamorous Spy: Christine Granville|Emma Garman|July 7, 2013|DAILY BEAST
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 Approach|Charles 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 Soil|Alan Edward Nourse
It was a dead giveaway when Young struck both cartels simultaneously, if Hunter had read the data correctly.
The Cartels Jungle|Irving E. Cox, Jr.
The red sweater with the terrycloth border and the white pants with a shortened left leg were a dead giveaway.
The Scapegoat|Richard Maples
Despite the tight beam, any communication could be a dead giveaway.
First on the Moon|Jeff Sutton

British Dictionary definitions for giveaway

give away

verb (tr, adverb)

to donate or bestow as a gift, prize, etc

to sell very cheaply

to reveal or betray (esp in the phrases give the game or show away)

to fail to use (an opportunity) through folly or neglect

to present (a bride) formally to her husband in a marriage ceremony

Australian and NZ informal to give up or abandon (something)

noun giveaway

a betrayal or disclosure of information, esp when unintentional

mainly US and Canadian something given, esp with articles on sale, at little or no charge to increase sales, attract publicity, etc

journalism another name for freesheet

mainly US and Canadian a radio or television programme characterized by the award of money and prizes

(modifier)

very cheap (esp in the phrase giveaway prices)
free of chargea giveaway property magazine

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with giveaway

give away

Make a gift of, bestow, as in I decided to give away all my plants. [c. 1400]

Present a bride to the groom in a marriage ceremony, as in Her father gave Karen away. [c. 1700]

Reveal or make something known, often unintentionally; also, betray or expose someone. For example, She gave away her true feelings, or He gave away his accomplices. This idiom is sometimes put as give oneself away, as in If you don't want the family to know about your gambling, don't give yourself away by spending your winnings. [Late 1800s]