1 gift
Pronounced:
/ˈgɪft/
Function:
nounInflected forms:
plural giftsMeaning:
[count] 1 : something that is given to another person or to a group or organization ▪ The money was a gift, not a loan. ▪ a birthday/Christmas/anniversary/wedding gift [=present] ▪ We always exchange gifts [=we give each other gifts] on our anniversary. ▪ a generous/lavish/small gift ▪ a charitable gift [=something, such as money, that is given to a charity]
2 : a special ability ▪ She considers her voice a God-given gift. ▪ He's an athlete with many physical gifts. [=talents] —often + for ▪ He has a gift for expressing himself. ▪ a gift for playing the piano ▪ an actor with a gift for comedy —sometimes + of ▪ She claimed to have the gift of prophecy.
2 : a special ability ▪ She considers her voice a God-given gift. ▪ He's an athlete with many physical gifts. [=talents] —often + for ▪ He has a gift for expressing himself. ▪ a gift for playing the piano ▪ an actor with a gift for comedy —sometimes + of ▪ She claimed to have the gift of prophecy.
God's gift
informal + disapproving —used to describe the attitude of people who think that they are very talented, attractive, etc. ▪ He thinks he's God's gift to the world. [=he thinks very highly of himself; he is very vain or conceited]
look a gift horse in the mouth —see 1horse
the gift of gab —see 2gab