given

Pronunciation

• IPA: /'gɪvən/
• SAMPA: /'gIv@n/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Verb

Plain form give

Third person singular gives

Simple past gave

Past participle given

Present participle giving

1. The past participle of give.

Preposition

Preposition given

1. Given $x$ means if $x$ is true, happened, exists, etc.

   Given our current problems, I don't think we can spend any more.

   Given a number, we can find another number that is bigger.

Adjective

Positive given

Comparative more given

Superlative most given

1. If someone is given to doing something, they do it regularly.

   My father's given to making long speeches about when he was a boy.

2. If someone is given to something, they wear, use, or do it often.

   When she got older, she was given to elegant clothes and long speeches.

Noun

Singular given

Plural givens

1. A given is something that you accept as true.

   We need to make a decision about where we will live after this, but selling this house is a given.