giveaway
Giveaway (noun) means something handed out for free, often as a promotion. Example: “The store ran a giveaway to celebrate its opening.”
noun
1
Something handed out for free, often as a promotion.
"The store ran a giveaway to celebrate its opening."
"Free tote bags were the giveaway at the conference."
"Every child at the fair went home with a giveaway balloon from the sponsor."
2
A clue or detail that reveals something meant to be hidden.
"His nervous laugh was a giveaway that he was lying."
"The muddy footprints were a giveaway that someone had sneaked into the kitchen."
"Her sudden blush was a dead giveaway that she knew about the surprise party."
How to use giveaway
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither something offered for free, or a small sign that reveals a secret or lie.
Common pairings
a dead giveaway
enter a giveaway
social media giveaway
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Word forms
- Plural
- giveaways
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The store ran a _____ to celebrate its opening.
Etymology
A noun formed from the phrasal verb "give away," meaning to hand out for free or to reveal.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for giveaway
See all rhymes for giveaway →Frequently asked questions
What does “giveaway” mean?
The word “giveaway” means something handed out for free, often as a promotion. In plain terms, either something offered for free, or a small sign that reveals a secret or lie.
How do you use “giveaway” in a sentence?
Here is “giveaway” used in a sentence: “The store ran a giveaway to celebrate its opening.”
What part of speech is “giveaway”?
“Giveaway” is a noun.
Is “giveaway” a common word?
“Giveaway” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “giveaway” have?
“Giveaway” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: something handed out for free, often as a promotion.
What is the difference between a "giveaway" and a "freebie"?
A giveaway is typically an organized promotion where items are handed out for free, often to attract customers or build attention, while a freebie is a broader, more casual term for anything given for free. In practice the words overlap, but "giveaway" more often implies a planned event or contest.
What does it mean when something is "a dead giveaway"?
In this sense, "giveaway" refers to a clue or detail that reveals something meant to be hidden, such as a nervous habit exposing a lie. "A dead giveaway" simply means an especially obvious or unmistakable sign.
Is "giveaway" written as one word or two?
As a noun meaning a free item or a revealing clue, it is written as one word: "giveaway." The two-word phrasal verb "give away" is used instead when describing the action itself, as in "they gave away free samples."
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