1 a thing that you give to sb, especially on a special occasion or to say thank you
SYNPRESENT:
The watch was a gift from my mother. * Thank you for your generous gift. * a free gift for every reader * the gift of life / love * (formal) The family made a gift of his paintings to the gallery. * gifts of toys for the children * All such posts are in the gift of the managing director (= only given by the managing director).
2 ~ (for sth / for doing sth) a natural ability
SYNTALENT:
She has a great gift for music. * He has the gift of making friends easily. * She can pick up a tune instantly on the piano, it's a gift.
3 [usuallysing.] (informal) a thing that is very easy to do or cheap to buy:
Their second goal was an absolute gift. * At ｣500 it's a gift.
IDIOMS
the gift of the gab (BrE) (AmE a gift for / of gab) (informal, sometimes disapproving) the ability to speak easily and to persuade other people with your words:
Joe's got the gift of the gab-he can sell anything.
look a gift horse in the mouth (usually with negatives) (informal) to refuse or criticize sth that is given to you for nothing:
I'm never one to look a gift horse in the mouth.
moreatGOD
verb (BrE, written) (used especially in journalism) to give sth to sb without their having to make any effort to get it: [VNN] They gifted their opponents a goal. * [VN] They gifted a goal to their opponents.
