ɡɪv ɔːf
neutral
intermediate
- Base verb:
- give
- Particle:
- off
- Separable:
- No
What does "give off" mean?
- To emit or produce something (smell, heat, light, radiation)
- To create a particular impression or feeling
Examples
- The flowers give off a beautiful fragrance.
- The heater gives off a lot of warmth.
- Rotting food gives off an unpleasant smell.
- He gives off a very confident vibe in interviews.
- The factory was giving off toxic fumes into the atmosphere.
How to use it
Usually used with things that emit smells, heat, light, or energy. Also used informally to describe the impression someone makes ('give off vibes').
Similar expressions
emit
produce
release
radiate
exude
Opposites
absorb
take in
Related phrasal verbs
- give up
To stop trying to do something, often because it is too difficult
- give away
To give something to someone for free
- give in
To finally agree to something after refusing or resisting
- give back
To return something to its owner
- give out
To distribute something to multiple people
- turn off
To stop a device or appliance by pressing a switch or button
Use it in a practice answer
Try "give off" in a CELPIP-style Speaking or Writing task. The AI feedback tells you whether your word choice worked.