What does gift mean?
Gift is a versatile English noun and verb with both practical and figurative uses. As a noun, it commonly refers to an object or offering presented to someone, such as a birthday or Christmas gift. It can also describe a natural talent or ability, as in someone having a gift for music, or a beneficial quality or opportunity. The word often conveys warmth, generosity, or personal significance, although it can simply denote something transferred without payment. As a verb, gift means to give something as a present and, more formally, to endow someone with a quality or opportunity. In everyday use, give is generally more common, but gift remains natural in formal, literary, and American contexts. The related adjective gifted describes a person who is unusually talented. Together, these meanings make gift useful for describing both possessions and personal qualities.
Something given to another person, especially as a present; a natural talent or ability; or something that benefits or advantages someone.
"The course was a gift to anyone hoping to improve their writing."
The talent sense is usually complimentary and suggests an innate or easily acquired ability.
To give something as a present; to endow someone with a quality, ability, or opportunity.
"The scholarship gifted the student with the freedom to study abroad."
The verb is less common than give, but it is standard and particularly frequent in American English.
The plural gifts is used for multiple presents, offerings, talents, or beneficial possibilities.
"She received many gifts for her birthday."
Gift has always carried a double meaning: something handed over and an ability that seems to come naturally.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of gift
The noun comes from Old English gief, meaning a gift or present, and belongs to the Germanic family of words connected with giving. It is cognate with German Gabe and Swedish gåva. The related modern English verb give continues the same broad Germanic root, while the modern sense of gift as a natural talent developed through the idea of something bestowed or possessed as an endowment.
Related word forms
How gift is actually used
As a noun, gift is generally positive and often carries emotional or personal significance. In the sense of natural ability, it suggests an aptitude that comes easily. As a verb, gift is standard but less frequent than give in formal British usage; gift someone something is especially common in American English.
Easily confused with gift
A gift is something given voluntarily, whereas a grift is a deceptive scheme or dishonest practice.
A gift is a present or talent, while gilt refers to a thin layer of gold or to something embellished with it.