Make vs. Give

Make vs. Give — Is There a Difference?
ADVERTISEMENT

Difference Between Make and Give

Makeverb

(transitive) To create.

Giveverb

(ditransitive) To move, shift, provide something abstract or concrete to someone or something or somewhere.

Makeverb

To build, construct, or produce.

We made a bird feeder for our yard.I'll make a man out of him yet.

Giveverb

To transfer one's possession or holding of (something) to (someone).

I gave him my coat.I gave my coat to the beggar.When they asked, I gave my coat.

Makeverb

To write or compose.

I made a poem for her wedding.He made a will.

Giveverb

To make a present or gift of.

I'm going to give my wife a necklace for her birthday.She gave a pair of shoes to her husband for their anniversary.He gives of his energies to the organization.
ADVERTISEMENT

Makeverb

To bring about; to effect or produce by means of some action.

make warThey were just a bunch of ne'er-do-wells who went around making trouble for honest men.

Giveverb

To pledge.

I gave him my word that I'd protect his children.

Makeverb

(religious) To create as, earth, heaven, stars, etc.

God made earth and heaven.

Giveverb

To provide (something) to (someone), to allow or afford.

I gave them permission to miss tomorrow's class.Please give me some more time.

Makeverb

To behave, to act.

To make like a deer caught in the headlights.They made nice together, as if their fight never happened.He made as if to punch him, but they both laughed and shook hands.

Giveverb

To cause (a sensation or feeling) to exist in.

It gives me a lot of pleasure to be here tonight.The fence gave me an electric shock.My mother-in-law gives me nothing but grief.
ADVERTISEMENT

Makeverb

(intransitive) To tend; to contribute; to have effect; with for or against.

Giveverb

To carry out (a physical interaction) with (something).

I want to give you a kiss.She gave him a hug.I'd like to give the tire a kick.I gave the boy a push on the swing.She gave me a wink afterwards, so I knew she was joking.

Makeverb

To constitute.

They make a cute couple.This makes the third infraction.One swallow does not a summer make.

Giveverb

To pass (something) into (someone's) hand or the like.

Give me your hand.On entering the house, he gave his coat to the doorman.

Makeverb

To interpret.

I don’t know what to make of it.

Giveverb

To cause (a disease or condition) in, or to transmit (a disease or condition) to.

My boyfriend gave me chlamydia.He was convinced that it was his alcoholism that gave him cancer.

Makeverb

To bring into success.

This company is what made you.She married into wealth and so has it made.

Giveverb

(ditransitive) To estimate or predict (a duration or probability) for (something).

I give it ten minutes before he gives up.I give it a 95% chance of success.I'll give their marriage six months.

Makeverb

To cause to be.

The citizens made their objections clear.This might make you a bit woozy.Did I make myself heard?Scotch will make you a man.

Giveverb

(intransitive) To yield slightly when a force is applied.

Makeverb

To cause to appear to be; to represent as.

Giveverb

(intransitive) To collapse under pressure or force.

One pillar gave, then more, and suddenly the whole floor pancaked onto the floor below.

Makeverb

To cause (to do something); to compel (to do something).

You're making her cry.I was made to feel like a criminal.

Giveverb

(transitive) To provide, as, a service or a broadcast.

They're giving my favorite show!

Makeverb

To force to do.

The teacher made the student study.Don’t let them make you suffer.

Giveverb

(intransitive) To lead (onto or into).

The master bedroom gives onto a spacious balcony.

Makeverb

To indicate or suggest to be.

His past mistakes don’t make him a bad person.

Giveverb

To provide a view of.

His window gave the park.

Makeverb

To cover neatly with bedclothes.

Giveverb

To exhibit as a product or result; to produce; to yield.

The number of men, divided by the number of ships, gives four hundred to each ship.

Makeverb

To recognise, identify.

Giveverb

To cause; to make; used with the infinitive.

Makeverb

To arrive at a destination, usually at or by a certain time.

We should make Cincinnati by 7 tonight.

Giveverb

To cause (someone) to have; produce in (someone); effectuate.

Makeverb

To proceed (in a direction).

They made westward over the snowy mountains.Make for the hills! It's a wildfire!They made away from the fire toward the river.

Giveverb

To allow or admit by way of supposition; to concede.

He can be bad-tempered, I'll give you that, but he's a hard worker.

Makeverb

(transitive) To cover (a given distance) by travelling.

Giveverb

To attribute; to assign; to adjudge.

Makeverb

(transitive) To move at (a speed).

The ship could make 20 knots an hour in calm seas.This baby can make 220 miles an hour.

Giveverb

To communicate or announce (advice, tidings, etc.); to pronounce or utter (an opinion, a judgment, a shout, etc.).

Makeverb

To appoint; to name.

Giveverb

(dated) To grant power or permission to; to allow.

Makeverb

To induct into the Mafia or a similar organization (as a made man).

Giveverb

(reflexive) To devote or apply (oneself).

The soldiers give themselves to plunder.That boy is given to fits of bad temper.

Makeverb

To defecate or urinate.

Giveverb

(obsolete) To become soft or moist.

Makeverb

(transitive) To earn, to gain (money, points, membership or status).

They hope to make a bigger profit.He didn't make the choir after his voice changed.She made ten points in that game.

Giveverb

(obsolete) To shed tears; to weep.

Makeverb

(transitive) To pay, to cover (an expense); chiefly used after expressions of inability.

Giveverb

(obsolete) To have a misgiving.

Makeverb

To compose verses; to write poetry; to versify.

Giveverb

To be going on, to be occurring

What gives?

Makeverb

To enact; to establish.

Givenoun

(uncountable) The amount of bending that something undergoes when a force is applied to it; a tendency to yield under pressure; resilence.

This chair doesn't have much give.There is no give in his dogmatic religious beliefs.

Makeverb

To develop into; to prove to be.

She'll make a fine president.

Givenoun

the elasticity of something that can be stretched and returns to its original length

Makeverb

To form or formulate in the mind.

make plansmade a questionable decision

Giveverb

cause to have, in the abstract sense or physical sense;

She gave him a black eyeThe draft gave me a cold

Makeverb

To perform a feat.

make a leapmake a passmake a u-turn

Giveverb

be the cause or source of;

He gave me a lot of troubleOur meeting afforded much interesting information

Makeverb

(obsolete) To act in a certain manner; to have to do; to manage; to interfere; to be active; often in the phrase to meddle or make.

Giveverb

transfer possession of something concrete or abstract to somebody;

I gave her my moneycan you give me lessons?She gave the children lots of love and tender loving care

Makeverb

(obsolete) To increase; to augment; to accrue.

Giveverb

convey or reveal information;

Give one's name

Makeverb

(obsolete) To be engaged or concerned in.

Giveverb

convey, as of a compliment, regards, attention, etc.; bestow;

Don't pay him any mindgive the ordersGive him my best regardspay attention

Makeverb

To cause to be (in a specified place), used after a subjective what.

Giveverb

organize or be responsible for;

hold a receptionhave, throw, or make a partygive a course

Makeverb

To take the virginity of.

Giveverb

convey or communicate; of a smile, a look, a physical gesture;

Throw a glanceShe gave me a dirty look

Makenoun

(often of a car) Brand or kind; often paired with model. t

What make of car do you drive?

Giveverb

give as a present; make a gift of;

What will you give her for her birthday?

Makenoun

How a thing is made; construction. s

Giveverb

bring about;

His two singles gave the team the victory

Makenoun

Origin of a manufactured article; manufacture. s

The camera was of German make.

Giveverb

dedicate;

give thought togive priority topay attention to

Makenoun

(uncountable) Quantity produced, especially of materials. s

Giveverb

give or supply;

The cow brings in 5 liters of milkThis year's crop yielded 1,000 bushels of cornThe estate renders some revenue for the family

Makenoun

(dated) The act or process of making something, especially in industrial manufacturing. s

Giveverb

tell or deposit (information) knowledge;

give a secret to the Russiansleave your name and address here

Makenoun

A person's character or disposition. s

Giveverb

bring about;

The trompe l'oeil-illusion establishes depth

Makenoun

(bridge) The declaration of the trump for a hand.

Giveverb

leave with; give temporarily;

Can I give you my keys while I go in the pool?Can I give you the children for the weekend?

Makenoun

(physics) The closing of an electrical circuit. s

Giveverb

emit or utter;

Give a gulpgive a yelp

Makenoun

(computing) A software utility for automatically building large applications, or an implementation of this utility.

Giveverb

endure the loss of;

He gave his life for his childrenI gave two sons to the war

Makenoun

(slang) Recognition or identification, especially from police records or evidence. s

Giveverb

place into the hands or custody of;

hand me the spoon, pleaseTurn the files over to me, pleaseHe turned over the prisoner to his lawyers

Makenoun

Past or future target of seduction (usually female). s

Giveverb

give entirely to a specific person, activity, or cause;

She committed herself to the work of Godgive one's talents to a good causeconsecrate your life to the church

Makenoun

A promotion.

Giveverb

give (as medicine);

I gave him the drug

Makenoun

A home-made project

Giveverb

give or convey physically;

She gave him First AidI gave him a punch in the nose

Makenoun

(basketball) A made basket.

Giveverb

bestow;

give hommagerender thanks

Makenoun

(dialectal) Mate; a spouse or companion.

Giveverb

bestow, especially officially;

grant a degreegive a divorceThis bill grants us new rights

Makenoun

A halfpenny.

Giveverb

move in order to make room for someone for something;

The park gave way to a supermarket`Move over,' he told the crowd

Makenoun

a recognizable kind;

there's a new brand of hero in the movies nowwhat make of car is that?

Giveverb

give food to;

Feed the starving children in Indiadon't give the child this tough meat

Makenoun

the act of mixing cards haphazardly

Giveverb

contribute to some cause;

I gave at the office

Makeverb

engage in;

make love, not warmake an effortdo researchdo nothingmake revolution

Giveverb

break down, literally or metaphorically;

The wall collapsedThe business collapsedThe dam brokeThe roof collapsedThe wall gave inThe roof finally gave under the weight of the ice

Makeverb

give certain properties to something;

get someone madShe made us look sillyHe made a fool of himself at the meetingDon't make this into a big dealThis invention will make you a millionaireMake yourself clear

Giveverb

estimate the duration or outcome of something;

He gave the patient three months to liveI gave him a very good chance at success

Makeverb

make or cause to be or to become;

make a mess in one's officecreate a furor

Giveverb

execute and deliver;

Give bond

Makeverb

cause to do; cause to act in a specified manner;

The ads induced me to buy a VCRMy children finally got me to buy a computerMy wife made me buy a new sofa

Giveverb

deliver in exchange or recompense;

I'll give you three books for four CDs

Makeverb

give rise to; cause to happen or occur, not always intentionally;

cause a commotionmake a stircause an accident

Giveverb

afford access to;

the door opens to the patioThe French doors give onto a terrace

Makeverb

create or manufacture a man-made product;

We produce more cars than we can sellThe company has been making toys for two centuries

Giveverb

present to view;

He gave the sign to start

Makeverb

make, formulate, or derive in the mind;

I draw a line heredraw a conclusiondraw parallelsmake an estimateWhat do you make of his remarks?

Giveverb

perform for an audience;

Pollini is giving another concert in New York

Makeverb

compel or make somebody or something to act in a certain way;

People cannot be made to integrate just by passing a law!Heat makes you sweat

Giveverb

be flexible under stress of physical force;

This material doesn't give

Makeverb

create by artistic means;

create a poemSchoenberg created twelve-tone musicPicasso created CubismAuden made verses

Giveverb

propose;

He gave the first of many toasts at the birthday party

Makeverb

earn on some commercial or business transaction; earn as salary or wages;

How much do you make a month in your new job?She earns a lot in her new jobthis merger brought in lots of moneyHe clears $5,000 each month

Giveverb

legal use: accord by verdict;

give a decision for the plaintiff

Makeverb

create or design, often in a certain way;

Do my room in blueI did this piece in wood to express my love for the forest

Giveverb

manifest or show;

This student gives promise of real creativityThe office gave evidence of tampering

Makeverb

to compose or represent:

This wall forms the background of the stage settingThe branches made a roofThis makes a fine introduction

Giveverb

offer in good faith;

He gave her his word

Makeverb

reach a goal, e.g.,

make the first teamWe made it!She may not make the grade

Giveverb

submit for consideration, judgment, or use;

give one's opiniongive an excuse

Makeverb

be or be capable of being changed or made into;

He makes a great hostHe will make a fine father

Giveverb

guide or direct, as by behavior of persuasion;

You gave me to think that you agreed with me

Makeverb

make by shaping or bringing together constituents;

make a dressmake a cakemake a wall of stones

Giveverb

allow to have or take;

I give you two minutes to respond

Makeverb

perform or carry out;

make a decisionmake a movemake advancesmake a phone call

Giveverb

inflict as a punishment;

She gave the boy a good spankingThe judge gave me 10 years

Makeverb

make by combining materials and parts;

this little pig made his house out of strawSome eccentric constructed an electric brassiere warmer

Giveverb

occur;

what gives?

Makeverb

change from one form into another;

make water into winemake lead into goldmake clay into bricks

Giveverb

consent to engage in sexual intercourse with a man;

She gave herself to many men

Makeverb

act in a certain way so as to acquire;

make friendsmake enemies

Giveverb

proffer (a body part);

She gave her hand to her little sister

Makeverb

charge with a function; charge to be;

She was named Head of the CommitteeShe was made president of the club

Makeverb

achieve a point or goal;

Nicklaus had a 70The Brazilian team got 4 goalsShe made 29 points that day

Makeverb

reach a destination, either real or abstract;

We hit Detroit by noonThe water reached the doorstepWe barely made it to the finish lineI have to hit the MAC machine before the weekend starts

Makeverb

institute, enact, or establish;

make laws

Makeverb

carry out or commit;

make a mistakecommit a faux-pas

Makeverb

add up to;

four and four make eight

Makeverb

form by assembling individuals or constituents;

Make a quorumThe branches made a roof

Makeverb

organize or be responsible for;

hold a receptionhave, throw, or make a partygive a course

Makeverb

prepare for eating by applying heat;

Cook me dinner, pleasecan you make me an omelette?fix breakfast for the guests, please

Makeverb

put in order or neaten;

make the bedmake up a room

Makeverb

head into a specified direction;

The escaped convict took to the hillsWe made for the mountains

Makeverb

have a bowel movement;

The dog had made in the flower beds

Makeverb

undergo fabrication or creation;

This wool makes into a nice sweater

Makeverb

be suitable for;

Wood makes good furniture

Makeverb

amount to;

This salary increase makes no difference to my standard of living

Makeverb

constitute the essence of;

Clothes make the man

Makeverb

appear to begin an activity;

He made to speak but said nothing i the endShe made a if to say hello to us

Makeverb

proceed along a path;

work one's way through the crowdmake one's way into the forest

Makeverb

reach in time;

We barely made the plane

Makeverb

gather and light the materials for;

make a fire

Makeverb

induce to have sex;

Harry finally seduced SallyDid you score last night?Harry made Sally

Makeverb

assure the success of;

A good review by this critic will make your play!

Makeverb

represent fictitiously, as in a play, or pretend to be or act like;

She makes like an actress

Makeverb

consider as being;

It wasn't the problem some people made it

Makeverb

calculate as being;

I make the height about 100 feet

Makeverb

cause to be enjoyable or pleasurable;

make my day

Makeverb

favor the development of;

Practice makes the winner

Makeverb

develop into;

He will make a splendid father!

Makeverb

behave in a certain way;

make merry

Makeverb

eliminate urine;

Again, the cat had made on the expensive rug