give off
B2Neutral to Informal
Definition
Meaning
To emit or release something (such as light, heat, a smell, sound, or a substance).
To produce and send out into the surrounding environment; to exude; figuratively, to convey an impression or aura.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
A transitive multi-word verb (phrasal verb). The object is the thing emitted. Often used for involuntary or natural emissions (smell, light, gas). Can be used figuratively for abstract qualities (vibes, an air of confidence).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant syntactic differences. 'Give out' can sometimes be used interchangeably in British English, especially for smells or sounds, but 'give off' is standard in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral in both. Slightly more technical or descriptive in American usage (e.g., 'giving off fumes').
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English according to corpus data, but common in both.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
Subject + give off + Noun Phrase (thing emitted)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in contexts like industrial processes or environmental reports ('The factory gives off harmful pollutants').
Academic
Used in scientific writing to describe processes of emission ('The compound gives off a distinct spectral signature').
Everyday
Very common for smells, light, and figurative impressions ('That rubbish bin gives off a terrible smell').
Technical
Common in chemistry, physics, and engineering ('The reactor gives off immense heat').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The compost heap gives off a bit of a pong.
- Those old heaters can give off quite a lot of heat.
American English
- The engine was giving off black smoke.
- She gives off a very confident vibe.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Flowers give off a nice smell.
- The fire gives off light and heat.
- Rotten eggs give off a horrible odour.
- This chemical gives off a green light when heated.
- The new manager gives off an air of quiet competence.
- Scientists measured the radiation the material gave off.
- The volcanic fissure continued to give off noxious fumes for weeks.
- His entire demeanour gave off the impression that he was utterly bored by the proceedings.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a lamp that GIVES its light OFF to the room. It hands over (gives) the light away from itself (off).
Conceptual Metaphor
EMITTING IS GIVING (Source: Object gives a substance/quality to the environment).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'give away' (раздавать) or 'give up' (сдаваться).
- Direct translation from Russian 'отдавать' is too broad. 'Give off' is specifically for emissions.
- Not used for giving physical objects to people.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: *The sun gives off us heat. Correct: The sun gives off heat. (The object is the thing emitted, not the recipient)
- Incorrect: *She gave off a present. Correct: She gave a present. (Use 'give off' only for emissions/auras)
- Incorrect preposition: *The cheese gives out a strong smell. (Acceptable in UK, but 'give off' is more standard)
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely to 'give off' something?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is an inseparable phrasal verb. You cannot say 'give the heat off'. It is always 'give off heat'.
Yes, but it's less common than for smells or light. It's typically used for a continuous or characteristic sound (e.g., 'The old radio gives off a faint hum').
In American English, 'give off' is standard for emissions. In British English, 'give out' can sometimes be used similarly, but 'give out' more commonly means 'distribute' or 'stop working' (e.g., 'The machine gave out').
No, it's neutral to informal. In very formal writing, alternatives like 'project', 'convey', or 'emanate' might be preferred.