give up
About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.


give up

verb

Definition of GIVE UP

transitive verb
1
: to yield control or possession of : surrender <forced to give up his job>
2
: to desist from : abandon <refused to give up her efforts>
3
: to declare incurable or insoluble
4
a : to abandon (oneself) to a particular feeling, influence, or activity <gave himself up to despair>
b : to devote to a particular purpose or use
5
: to despair of seeing <we'd given you up>
6
: to allow (a hit or run in baseball) while pitching
intransitive verb
: to cease doing or attempting something especially as an admission of defeat : quit —often used with on <don't give up on the project>
give up the ghost
: to cease to live or function : die

Examples of GIVE UP

  1. <was in so much debt he had to give up his house and move into a cheaper apartment>
  2. <I hope you won't give up playing the piano.>

First Known Use of GIVE UP

13th century

Browse

Next Word in the Dictionary: givey
Previous Word in the Dictionary: Givetian
All Words Near: give up

Seen & Heard

What made you want to look up give up? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Name That Thing

Take Our 10-Question Quiz

Get Our Free Apps
Voice Search, Favorites,
Word of the Day, and More
Join Us on FB & Twitter
Get the Word of the Day and More