given

[ giv-uhn ]

/ ˈgɪv ən /

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verb

past participle of give.

adjective

stated, fixed, or specified: at a given time.

addicted or disposed (often followed by to): given to making snide remarks.

bestowed as a gift; conferred.

assigned as a basis of calculation, reasoning, etc.: Given A and B, C follows.

Mathematics. known or independently determined: a given magnitude.

(on official documents) executed and delivered as of the date shown.

noun

an established fact, condition, factor, etc.

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

OTHER WORDS FROM given

self-given, adjectiveun·giv·en, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use given in a sentence

“His tone of voice, too, was audibly less forceful than it normally is,” Givens continued.
Christie’s Body Language Suggests He Didn’t Believe What He Said|Lloyd Grove|January 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But the negotiators on both sides understand these givens, and they are more or less ready for them.
Iranian Bombs and Black Swans in the Nuclear Negotiations|Christopher Dickey|December 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Givens was sitting in her car with a figure with “flowing blonde hair.”
Speed Read: 7 Juiciest Stories from Mike Tyson’s Memoir|Thomas Flynn|November 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST
After his divorce from Givens, Tyson continued to see her from time to time.
Speed Read: 7 Juiciest Stories from Mike Tyson’s Memoir|Thomas Flynn|November 6, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Those three would get them almost there, and they're pretty much givens (possible exception is Montana, depending on who runs).
Early Early Senate Handicapping|Michael Tomasky|July 23, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Mr. Givens, the sub-agent, sent up a note asking me to come down very early in the morning.
Mary and I|Stephen Return Riggs
"It yourself," shrieked Leathersham adroitly shoving a sheet where he saw Mrs. Givens would light next.
Ptomaine Street|Carolyn Wells
That Mrs. Charity Givens had heard she was a great heiress, and meant to stick her for a new hospital.
Ptomaine Street|Carolyn Wells
An' Givens an' Link will send 'em through, to hell—an' then some.
The Trail Horde|Charles Alden Seltzer
Givens and Link were in the dugout, and presently they would return to the cabin.
The Trail Horde|Charles Alden Seltzer

British Dictionary definitions for given

given

/ (ˈɡɪvən) /

verb

the past participle of give

adjective

(postpositive foll by to) tending (to); inclined or addicted (to)

specific or previously stated

assumed as a premise

maths known or determined independentlya given volume

(on official documents) issued or executed, as on a stated date

noun

an assumed fact

philosophy the supposed raw data of experienceSee also sense datum

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

given

OTHER WORDS FROM given

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How to use given in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for given