What does giveaway mean?
The noun giveaway has two closely related everyday uses. In its now-dominant figurative sense, it means any sign, clue, or involuntary behavior that reveals a secret or exposes someone's real intentions: a slip of the tongue can be a giveaway, as can a suspicious reaction. In its commercial sense, a giveaway is a free gift, discount, prize, or contest used to attract customers, viewers, or participants. The noun is closely related to the phrasal verb give away, meaning either to reveal information inadvertently or to distribute something freely. Giveaway is especially useful when one noun must capture the idea of a clue that exposes what someone hoped to conceal. Its tone ranges from neutral description to mild criticism when a supposed secret is obvious, while commercial uses can sound promotional or informal. The word is used in both British and American English and is normally written as one word.
nounA giveaway is a sign, clue, or involuntary behavior that reveals something supposed to be hidden; it can also mean a free gift, prize, or promotional offer.
- A sign, clue, or involuntary behavior that reveals a secret, identity, intention, or concealed information.
- A free gift, prize, discount, or promotional offer given to attract customers, viewers, or participants.
"Her raised eyebrows were a giveaway that she already knew."
"The mismatch between his confident words and nervous expression was an obvious giveaway."
"The television station is offering tickets to its live concert as a giveaway."
The regular plural is giveaways.
"The promotion included several giveaways for newsletter subscribers."
A giveaway can expose a secret without uttering a single word.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does giveaway come from?
Giveaway is an English compound formed from the long-established words give and away. Give descends from Old English giefan and ultimately from a Proto-Germanic root; gift and forgive preserve related formations from the same linguistic family. The compound arose around the idea of something freely given away, while its revealing sense developed from the earlier phrasal verb give away, meaning to disclose or betray information.
Related word forms
How giveaway is actually used
The revealing sense is often neutral but can imply that what was intended to remain hidden was obvious. The promotional sense is familiar commercial language. As a noun, it is normally written as one word and is distinct from the phrasal verb give away.