Dictionary

give out en · VERB

Pronunciation

• (Australia) audio

Etymology

Cognate with German ausgeben (“spend, pay, output”).

Meanings

1. (transitive) To utter, publish; to announce, proclaim, report.
   • The best news is that we have safely found Our king and company: the next, our ship,— Which but three glasses since we gave out split,— Is tight and yare, and bravely rigg'd as when We first put out to sea. 1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tempest”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene i]:
   • Simon is found in the book of Acts. The bible tells us that he gave out that he was some great one, that he was the great power of God. This is a characteristic of both the circumcision and the spirit of Antichrist. 2010, Don Preece, Revelation Of The Antichrist: Who He Is And What He Does:
   • So soon as I hear that such or such a man gives himself out for a philosopher, I conclude that, like the dyspeptic old woman, he must have “broken his digester.” 1851 November 14, Herman Melville, chapter X, in Moby-Dick; or, The Whale, 1st American edition, New York, N.Y.: Harper & Brothers; London: Richard Bentley, →OCLC:
2. (transitive) To utter, publish; to announce, proclaim, report. ▸ To announce (a hymn) to be sung; to read out (the words) for the congregation to sing.
3. (transitive) To send forth, emit; to cause to be sent forth.
4. (transitive) To send forth, emit; to cause to be sent forth. ▸ To put forth, utter (prayers).
5. (transitive) To issue; to distribute.
   • Can you help me to give out the new books to the class, please?
6. (intransitive, of persons) To cease functioning in some way. ▸ To desist.
7. (intransitive) To cease functioning in some way. ▸ To desist through exhaustion of strength or patience.
8. (intransitive, of an implement, qualifier:a limb; a machine; a limb; a machine, usually) To cease functioning in some way. ▸ To break down, get out of order, fail.
   • So your old car finally gave out, did it?
9. (intransitive, of a supply) To cease functioning in some way. ▸ To run short, come to an end.
10. (Ireland, UK, idiomatic, intransitive) To complain, sulk, chastise.
    • He was always giving out about the weather.
    • You shouldn't give out to your brother like that.
11. (intransitive, slang) To pretend or act as if something is true.
    • I gave out that I was at home, but they didn't ask for an alibi.
12. (intransitive, qualifier:African-American Vernacular, slang) To express oneself intensely emotionally, either by talking or in a musical performance.
    • He's been giving out for hours.
13. (transitive) To deem (a player) to be out.
    • The umpire controversially gave him out.

Forms

Deriveds

give out stink

Translations (16)

bg издавам (to issue) · fi julistaa (to utter, publish, announce) · bg обявявам (to utter, publish, announce) · ru объяви́ть (to utter, publish, announce) · cs rozdat (to issue) · de ausgeben (to issue) · fi jakaa (to issue) · fr distribuer (to issue) · uk розда́ти (to issue) · ru провозглаша́ть (to utter, publish, announce) · ru провозгласи́ть (to utter, publish, announce) · de austeilen (to issue) · uk роздава́ти (to issue) · ru обнаро́довать (to utter, publish, announce) · ru объявля́ть (to utter, publish, announce) · nl uitdelen (to issue)