| Phrasal verb | Main meaning |
|---|---|
give off [ɡɪv ɒf] | to emit (a smell, light, heat, gas, etc.) |
Other meanings
- to give out (physical substances like gas, heat, light)
- to radiate or exude (a quality, e.g. confidence or an aura)
Example Sentences Using the Phrasal Verb "give off"
- The flowers give off a sweet fragrance.
- The old batteries give off a strong, unpleasant odor.
- The radiator gives off a lot of heat.
- He gives off the impression of confidence.
- The volcano gave off a plume of ash.
Features of Using "give off"
This phrasal verb is inseparable and transitive: the object must come after off (you cannot insert the object between give and off).
It is commonly used with inanimate subjects (flowers, machines, devices, natural phenomena) to talk about emitting smells, light, heat, gas, etc. It is also used figuratively (e.g., to give off an impression or an aura).
Typical collocates: smell/odor, heat, light, gas, steam, aura/impression.
Other phrasal verbs with the verb give
give back
return something to its owner
give up
to stop trying or quit doing something
give away
to donate something for free
give in
to stop resisting, to surrender
give out
to distribute something to people
give into
to yield or surrender to something
give way
to yield or collapse
give over
to stop (doing something)
give onto
to open onto (a space, street, view, etc.)
give forth
to emit (a sound, smell, light, etc.)
🔗 Learn more about the irregular verb give, including its forms and usage.