Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun An inadvertent revealing of something that is not otherwise evident or is meant to be concealed.
  • noun The act or an instance of giving something away or for inadequate compensation.
  • noun Something that is given away at no charge.
  • noun A promotion or contest in which prizes are given away.
  • noun Sports The act or an instance of losing possession of the ball or puck to the opposing team, as by a misdirected pass.
  • noun Legislation, such as a tax law, that benefits only one segment of the population.
  • noun The appropriation of natural resources or public lands for private gain.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun something that is given away or handed out for free
  • noun something that is obvious or apparent; something that reveals a secret

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun a gift of public land or resources for the private gain of a limited group
  • noun an unintentional disclosure
  • noun a television or radio program in which contestants compete for awards

Etymologies

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License

give +‎ away

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Examples

Comments

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  • Hovering silence from you is a giveaway

    Squalor and smoke's not your style

    "I don't like this place"

    We better go

    Then I compare notes with your older sister

    I am a lazy gett, she is as pure as the cold driven snow.

    (The boy with the Arab strap, by Belle and Sebastian)

    November 12, 2008