regift: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
low-mediuminformal
Quick answer
What does “regift” mean?
to give a gift one has received to someone else, often without disclosing its origin.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to give a gift one has received to someone else, often without disclosing its origin
the practice of passing along an unwanted gift to another person, sometimes as a pragmatic or economical alternative to discarding it
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage and concept are identical in both dialects; the term originated in and is slightly more common in American English.
Connotations
Slightly more judgemental connotation in British usage; in American usage, it can sometimes be seen as a pragmatic or eco-friendly choice.
Frequency
More frequent in American English, especially around holiday seasons in media; recognised but less commonly used in casual British English.
Grammar
How to Use “regift” in a Sentence
transitive verb: subject + regift + object (gift)intransitive use is rare but possible in contextVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “regift” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She decided to regift the ugly vase to her cousin.
- Is it poor form to regift a wedding present?
American English
- He's just going to regift that sweater to his brother.
- Many people regift unwanted holiday gifts.
adjective
British English
- That scarf has a definite regift look about it.
- It's stuck in a regift cycle.
American English
- She received a regift present from her aunt.
- The regift item still had the original tag.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare; occasionally in discussions of corporate gifting policies or sustainability.
Academic
Very rare; may appear in sociological studies of gift economies.
Everyday
Common in informal conversations about holidays, birthdays, and presents.
Technical
Not applicable.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “regift”
- Using it as a noun only (it is primarily a verb).
- Misspelling as 're-gift' (though hyphenated form is also accepted).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on social context and transparency. Many consider it rude if the original giver finds out, but others view it as practical.
Yes, though less common (e.g., 'That vase is a definite regift'). The verb form is primary.
It is a 20th-century blend (re- + gift), popularised in American English in the 1990s, notably by the TV show 'Seinfeld'.
Yes, it can reduce waste, save money, and ensure a gift goes to someone who will appreciate it more.
to give a gift one has received to someone else, often without disclosing its origin.
Regift is usually informal in register.
Regift: in British English it is pronounced /ˌriːˈɡɪft/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌriˈɡɪft/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “regift economy”
- “regifting season”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
RE-GIFT: Imagine receiving a gift, then putting a new REceipt on it to GIFT it again.
Conceptual Metaphor
A GIFT IS A CIRCULATING OBJECT.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most accurate definition of 'regift'?