Given — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun preposition verb /ˈgi-vən/ giv·en

Meaning & Definition of Given

Given (adjective)

  1. particular, specified
  2. assumed as actual or hypothetical, granted
  3. prone, disposed

Given (noun)

  1. something given; especially, something taken for granted, a basic condition or assumption

Given (preposition)

  1. in view of, considering

Given (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. being in the habit or custom

    "a quiet man not given to loud expressions of emotion"

    similar: accustomed, habituated, used, wont
    related: apt, inclined, liable, likely, prone, hardened, inured, experienced, practiced, seasoned, veteran, addicted, hooked
    opposite: unaccustomed, unused, unwonted
    near: unapt, unlikely, averse, disinclined, opposed, inexperienced, new, unseasoned, disaccustomed, weaned

  2. having a tendency to be or act in a certain way

    "she's given to exaggeration"

    similar: apt, inclined, prone, tending
    related: choosing, preferring, disposed, liable, likely, minded, predisposed, willing
    near: averse, disinclined, indisposed, loath, unwilling

  3. known but not named

    "candidates for the quiz show must complete the qualifying test within a given amount of time"

    similar: anonymous, certain, one, some, unidentified, unnamed, unspecified
    related: particular, specific
    near: known, named, specified

Given (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. something taken as being true or factual and used as a starting point for a course of action or reasoning

    "it's a given that television viewers are influenced by advertising, even consciously or subconsciously"

    similar: assumption, hypothetical, if, postulate, premise, presumption, presupposition, supposition
    related: hypothesis, proposition, theory, thesis, axiom, truism, verity, belief, canon, doctrine, dogma, gospel, law, precept, principle, rule, standard, tenet, basis, foundation, ground, conclusion, deduction, inference, affirmation, assertion, avouchment, declaration, dictum, ipse dixit

Given (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to make a present of

    "thanked all the tutors who generously gave their time to help students after school"

    similar: bestowed, contributed, donated, given away, presented, volunteered, given of
    related: chipped in, kicked in, pitched in, thrown in, awarded, conferred, endowed, endued, rendered, afforded, comped, furnished, provided, lavished, regaled, aided, assisted, benefited, helped, administered, dished out, dispensed, doled out, handed out, imparted, issued, meted (out), extended, forked (over, out, or up), offered, paid, proffered, pungled (up), put up, tendered, sacrificed
    near: held, kept, pocketed, retained, withheld, preserved, saved, advanced, lent, loaned, sold

  2. to put (something) into the possession or safekeeping of another

    "gave my camera to my father to hold while I went swimming"

    similar: commended, committed, confided, consigned, delegated, delivered, entrusted, given over, handed, handed over, left, passed, recommended, reposed, transferred, transmitted, trusted, turned over, vested
    related: conferred, granted, assigned, dealt (out), dispensed, dispersed, distributed, divided, handed in, released, relinquished, submitted, surrendered, turned in, yielded, bequeathed, handed down, handed on, willed, advanced, lent, loaned, furnished, supplied, recommitted, redelivered, retransferred, retransmitted
    opposite: held, kept, retained
    near: detained, held back, reserved, withheld, owned, possessed, accepted, received, taken in, occupied, taken, taken over

  3. to bring before the public in performance or exhibition

    "the author will give a reading from her latest work at 7:00 p.m."

    similar: carried, mounted, offered, presented, staged, come out with
    related: displayed, exhibited, exposed, paraded, shown, shown off, unveiled, previewed, acted, impersonated, performed, played, portrayed, depicted, dramatized, enacted, rendered, represented, extended, proffered, tendered

  4. to fall down or in as a result of physical pressure

    "they loaded the shopping cart with so much food it gave under all the weight"

    similar: buckled, caved (in), collapsed, crumpled, foundered, gone, gone out, imploded, tumbled, yielded, given way
    related: deflated, flattened, melted, melted down, broken, broken down, conked (out), crashed, died, failed, given out, stalled, burst, shattered, smashed, splintered, split, cracked, crumbled, popped, snapped
    near: inflated, risen, swelled

  5. to hand over or use up in payment

    "I wouldn't give a nickel for such a run-down car"

    similar: disbursed, dropped, expended, forked (over, out, or up), laid out, outlaid, paid, shelled out, spent
    related: lavished, rained, blown, dissipated, frittered (away), run through, squandered, thrown away, wasted
    near: cached, hoarded, laid up, saved, acquired, earned, gained, garnered, made, procured, realized, secured, won

  6. to make known (as an idea, emotion, or opinion)

    "she gave her opinion on the matter very firmly and unmistakably"

    similar: aired, expounded, expressed, looked, raised, sounded, stated, vented, ventilated, voiced, given air to, put forth
    related: advertised, announced, declared, enounced, enunciated, proclaimed, said, broadcast, circulated, disseminated, published, described, written, written up, sounded off, spoken out, spoken up, chimed in, communicated, conveyed, put across, put over, offered, submitted
    opposite: stifled, suppressed
    near: censored, restrained, restricted

  7. to occupy (oneself) diligently or with close attention

    "totally gave himself to his studies in the hopes of winning a scholarship for next year"

    similar: addressed, applied, bent, buckled, devoted, got cracking, got one's act together, got with it, turned one's hand
    related: readdressed, reapplied, knuckled down, settled (down), set (to), busied, committed, concerned, engaged, involved, exerted, exhausted, put out, spent, strained, stressed, taxed, troubled, worn out, carried on, pitched in, plunged (in), ground, humped, hustled, pegged (away), plodded, plowed, plugged (away), worked
    near: dallied, dawdled, dillydallied, fiddled (around), fooled around, idled, messed around, monkeyed (around), played, pottered (around), puttered (around), trifled

  8. to produce as revenue

    "a company that consistently gives $30 million in profits to the owner"

    similar: borne, paid, returned, yielded
    related: brought in, netted, afforded, furnished, provided, supplied, paid off

  9. to put (something) into the possession of someone for use or consumption

    "gave him my e-mail address"

    similar: delivered, fed, furnished, handed, handed over, provided, supplied
    related: plied (with), administered, allocated, apportioned, dealt (out), dispensed, distributed, doled out, meted (out), parceled (out), portioned, prorated, assigned, ceded, deeded, made over, transferred
    opposite: held (back), kept (back), reserved, retained, withheld
    near: conserved, kept up, maintained, preserved, saved

  10. to put before another for acceptance or consideration

    "she gave the committee her grant proposal"

    similar: extended, offered, proffered, tendered, trotted out, run by
    related: posed, proposed, held out, given in, submitted, volunteered
    near: accepted, received, taken, accredited, approbated, approved, authorized, cleared, confirmed, finalized, formalized, homologated, OK'd, ratified, sanctioned, warranted, declined, denied, disallowed, disapproved, negatived, rejected, turned down, vetoed, rebuffed, rebutted, refused, spurned, retracted, withdrawn, disregarded, ignored, neglected, overlooked

  11. to cause (something) to pass from one to another

    "she gave her cold to me, and now I'm so sick that I can barely get out of bed"

    similar: communicated, conducted, conveyed, imparted, spread, transferred, transfused, transmitted
    related: delivered, handed over, surrendered, turned over, broadcast, diffused, disseminated, propagated, handed down, handed on, contaminated, infected, poisoned
    near: caught, come down (with), contracted

Related Entry: Give (verb)

Give is a different word from Given. The synonyms below are for give, not for given.

  1. to make a present of

    "thanked all the tutors who generously gave their time to help students after school"

    similar: bestow, contribute, donate, give away, present, volunteer, give of
    related: chip in, kick in, pitch in, throw in, award, confer, endow, endue, render, afford, comp, furnish, provide, lavish, regale, aid, assist, benefit, help, administer, dish out, dispense, dole out, hand out, impart, issue, mete (out), extend, fork (over, out, or up), offer, pay, proffer, pungle (up), put up, tender, sacrifice
    near: hold, keep, pocket, retain, withhold, preserve, save, advance, lend, loan, sell

  2. to put (something) into the possession or safekeeping of another

    "gave my camera to my father to hold while I went swimming"

    similar: commend, commit, confide, consign, delegate, deliver, entrust, give over, hand, hand over, leave, pass, recommend, repose, transfer, transmit, trust, turn over, vest
    related: confer, grant, assign, deal (out), dispense, disperse, distribute, divide, hand in, release, relinquish, submit, surrender, turn in, yield, bequeath, hand down, hand on, will, advance, lend, loan, furnish, supply, recommit, redeliver, retransfer, retransmit
    opposite: hold, keep, retain
    near: detain, hold back, reserve, withhold, own, possess, accept, receive, take in, occupy, take, take over

  3. to bring before the public in performance or exhibition

    "the author will give a reading from her latest work at 7:00 p.m."

    similar: carry, mount, offer, present, stage, come out with
    related: display, exhibit, expose, parade, show, show off, unveil, preview, act, impersonate, perform, play, portray, depict, dramatize, enact, render, represent, extend, proffer, tender

  4. to fall down or in as a result of physical pressure

    "they loaded the shopping cart with so much food it gave under all the weight"

    similar: buckle, cave (in), collapse, crumple, founder, go, go out, implode, tumble, yield, give way
    related: deflate, flatten, melt, melt down, break, break down, conk (out), crash, die, fail, give out, stall, burst, shatter, smash, splinter, split, crack, crumble, pop, snap
    near: inflate, rise, swell

  5. to hand over or use up in payment

    "I wouldn't give a nickel for such a run-down car"

    similar: disburse, drop, expend, fork (over, out, or up), lay out, outlay, pay, shell out, spend
    related: lavish, rain, blow, dissipate, fritter (away), run through, squander, throw away, waste
    near: cache, hoard, lay up, save, acquire, earn, gain, garner, make, procure, realize, secure, win

  6. to make known (as an idea, emotion, or opinion)

    "she gave her opinion on the matter very firmly and unmistakably"

    similar: air, expound, express, look, raise, sound, state, vent, ventilate, voice, give air to, put forth
    related: advertise, announce, declare, enounce, enunciate, proclaim, say, broadcast, circulate, disseminate, publish, describe, write, write up, sound off, speak out, speak up, chime in, communicate, convey, put across, put over, offer, submit
    opposite: stifle, suppress
    near: censor, restrain, restrict

  7. to occupy (oneself) diligently or with close attention

    "totally gave himself to his studies in the hopes of winning a scholarship for next year"

    similar: address, apply, bend, buckle, devote, get cracking, get one's act together, get with it, turn one's hand
    related: readdress, reapply, knuckle down, set (to), settle (down), busy, commit, concern, engage, involve, exert, exhaust, put out, spend, strain, stress, tax, trouble, wear out, carry on, pitch in, plunge (in), grind, hump, hustle, peg (away), plod, plow, plug (away), work
    near: dally, dawdle, dillydally, fiddle (around), fool around, idle, mess around, monkey (around), play, potter (around), putter (around), trifle

  8. to produce as revenue

    "a company that consistently gives $30 million in profits to the owner"

    similar: bear, pay, return, yield
    related: bring in, net, afford, furnish, provide, supply, pay off

  9. to put (something) into the possession of someone for use or consumption

    "gave him my e-mail address"

    similar: deliver, feed, furnish, hand, hand over, provide, supply
    related: ply (with), administer, allocate, apportion, deal (out), dispense, distribute, dole out, mete (out), parcel (out), portion, prorate, assign, cede, deed, make over, transfer
    opposite: hold (back), keep (back), reserve, retain, withhold
    near: conserve, keep up, maintain, preserve, save

  10. to put before another for acceptance or consideration

    "she gave the committee her grant proposal"

    similar: extend, offer, proffer, tender, trot out, run by
    related: pose, propose, hold out, give in, submit, volunteer
    near: accept, receive, take, accredit, approbate, approve, authorize, clear, confirm, finalize, formalize, homologate, OK, ratify, sanction, warrant, decline, deny, disallow, disapprove, negative, reject, turn down, veto, rebuff, rebut, refuse, spurn, retract, withdraw, disregard, ignore, neglect, overlook

  11. to cause (something) to pass from one to another

    "she gave her cold to me, and now I'm so sick that I can barely get out of bed"

    similar: communicate, conduct, convey, impart, spread, transfer, transfuse, transmit
    related: deliver, hand over, surrender, turn over, broadcast, diffuse, disseminate, propagate, hand down, hand on, contaminate, infect, poison
    near: catch, come down (with), contract

Related Entry: Given name (noun)

Given name is a different word from Given. The synonyms below are for given name, not for given.

  1. a name that is placed before one's family name

    "everyone calls me Jack, but my given name is John"

    similar: Christian name, first name, forename, prename
    related: appellation, denomination, designation, cognomen, denotation, epithet, handle, nickname, sobriquet, title, alias, nom de plume, pen name, pseudonym, baptismal name

Related Entry: Given in (to) (verb)

Given in (to) is a different word from Given. The synonyms below are for given in (to), not for given.

  1. as in submitted (to), succumbed (to)

    similar: acquiesced (to), bowed (to), capitulated (to), submitted (to), succumbed (to), surrendered (to), yielded (to), acceded (to), assented (to), conceded (to), confirmed, consented (to), OK'd, ratified, sanctioned, warranted, abided, borne, brooked, countenanced, endured, shouldered, stomached, stood, stuck out, supported, sustained, swallowed, sweat out, tolerated, accepted, had, taken, adopted, embraced, welcomed
    opposite: declined, denied, disallowed, disapproved, negatived, refused, rejected, spurned, turned down, vetoed, dissented (to), objected (to), opposed, protested, held off, resisted, withstood, combated, contested, fought

Related Entry: Given over (to) (verb)

Given over (to) is a different word from Given. The synonyms below are for given over (to), not for given.

  1. as in catered (to), given in

    similar: bowed, caved (in), given in, submitted, succumbed, surrendered, yielded, catered (to), gratified, indulged, wallowed, acquiesced (to), conceded (to), buckled (under), knuckled under
    opposite: held off, resisted, battled, breasted, combated, confronted, countered, defied, faced, fought, met, objected, opposed, repelled, thwarted, withstood, rejected, bridled, checked, constrained, curbed, inhibited, restrained, stifled

Related Entry: Given way (to) (verb)

Given way (to) is a different word from Given. The synonyms below are for given way (to), not for given.

  1. as in released, taken out

    similar: loosed, released, taken out, unleashed, vented
    opposite: bottled (up), repressed, suppressed, controlled, governed, handled, managed, bridled, checked, constrained, contained, curbed, held back, pulled in, quelled, reined (in), restrained, smothered, tamed, allayed, lulled, quieted, soothed, stilled, choked, inhibited, muffled, pocketed, stifled, strangled, swallowed

Related Entry: Given away (verb)

Given away is a different word from Given. The synonyms below are for given away, not for given.

  1. to make known (something abstract) through outward signs

    "the insincerity of his apology was given away by that slight smirk on his face"

    similar: bespoken, betrayed, communicated, declared, demonstrated, displayed, evinced, exposed, manifested, revealed, shown
    related: bared, disclosed, unbosomed, uncloaked, uncovered, advertised, aired, announced, blazed, broadcast, placarded, proclaimed, publicized, sounded, trumpeted, projected
    near: belied, misrepresented, distorted, falsified, garbled, twisted, camouflaged, disguised, gilded, glossed (over), varnished, whitewashed, concealed, counterfeited, covered, hidden, masked, obscured, occluded, veiled

  2. to make a present of

    "gave away all her potted plants when she moved"

    similar: bestowed, contributed, donated, given, presented, volunteered, given of
    related: chipped in, kicked in, pitched in, thrown in, awarded, conferred, endowed, endued, rendered, afforded, comped, furnished, provided, lavished, regaled, aided, assisted, benefited, helped, administered, dished out, dispensed, doled out, handed out, imparted, issued, meted (out), extended, forked (over, out, or up), offered, paid, proffered, pungled (up), put up, tendered, sacrificed
    near: held, kept, pocketed, retained, withheld, preserved, saved, advanced, lent, loaned, sold

Related Entry: Given in (verb)

Given in is a different word from Given. The synonyms below are for given in, not for given.

  1. to give up and cease resistance (as to a liking, temptation, or habit)

    "give in and have some chocolate"

    similar: bowed, caved (in), submitted, succumbed, surrendered, yielded
    related: catered (to), gratified, indulged, wallowed, acquiesced (to), conceded (to), buckled (under), knuckled under, given over (to)
    opposite: held off, resisted
    near: battled, breasted, combated, confronted, countered, defied, faced, fought, met, objected, opposed, repelled, thwarted, withstood, rejected, bridled, checked, constrained, curbed, inhibited, restrained, stifled

  2. to cease resistance (as to another's arguments, demands, or control)

    "after withstanding hours of begging, their father finally gave in and let them go to the amusement park"

    similar: blinked, bowed, budged, capitulated, conceded, knuckled under, quit, relented, submitted, succumbed, surrendered, yielded, said uncle, thrown in the towel
    related: acquiesced, deferred
    opposite: resisted
    near: contended, fought, held off, battled, breasted, combated, confronted, countered, defied, faced, met, objected, opposed, repelled, thwarted, withstood

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Given

The most common words with a similar meaning to Given:

accustomed, habituated, used, wont, apt, inclined, prone, tending, anonymous, certain, one, some, unidentified, unnamed, unspecified, assumption, hypothetical, if, postulate, premise, presumption, presupposition, supposition, bestowed, contributed, donated, given away, presented, volunteered, commended, committed, confided, consigned, delegated, delivered, entrusted, given over, handed, handed over, left

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Given

Words with the opposite meaning of Given:

unaccustomed, unused, unwonted, held, kept, retained, stifled, suppressed, held (back), kept (back), reserved, withheld

Related Words for Given

liable, likely, hardened, inured, experienced, practiced, seasoned, veteran, addicted, hooked, choosing, preferring, disposed, minded, predisposed, willing, particular, specific, hypothesis, proposition, theory, thesis, axiom, truism, verity, belief, canon, doctrine, dogma, gospel

Near Antonyms of Given

unapt, unlikely, averse, disinclined, opposed, inexperienced, new, unseasoned, disaccustomed, weaned, indisposed, loath, unwilling, known, named, specified, pocketed, preserved, saved, advanced, lent, loaned, sold, detained, held back, owned, possessed, accepted, received, taken in

Origin & Etymology of Given

Middle English yiven, given "presented as a gift, freely bestowed," from past participle of given "to give:1"

First known use: 14th century

Words & Phrases Containing Given

given name, given the circumstances, given to, God-given, self-given

Frequently Asked Questions about Given

What does "Given" mean?

"Given" means particular, specified. As an an adjective, a noun, a preposition and a verb, it is defined as: particular, specified. It has 15 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Given"?

Other words for "Given" include accustomed, habituated, used, wont, apt, inclined, prone and tending. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Given" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Given"?

There are 322 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Given". Common alternatives include accustomed, habituated, used, wont, apt, inclined, prone, tending, anonymous and certain.

What is the opposite of "Given"?

Antonyms of "Given" include unaccustomed, unused, unwonted, held, kept, retained, stifled and suppressed. Near antonyms include unapt, unlikely, averse and disinclined.

How do you use "Given" in a sentence?

Examples of "Given" in a sentence: "a quiet man not given to loud expressions of emotion"; "she's given to exaggeration"; "candidates for the quiz show must complete the qualifying test within a given amount of time".

Is "Given" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Given" can be used as an adjective, a noun, a preposition and a verb, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Given"?

"Given" is pronounced /ˈgi-vən/ and divided into syllables as giv·en.

What is the origin of the word "Given"?

"Given" comes from Middle English yiven, given "presented as a gift, freely bestowed," from past participle of given "to give:1". First known use: 14th century.