Give
Give verb - To make a present of.
Usage example: math tutors generously give their time to help students after school
Keep
Keep verb - To continue to have in one's possession or power.
Usage example: keep my secret and don't tell it to anyone
How words are described
| sweet | sweet give | sweet keep |
| human | human give | human keep |
| old | old give | old keep |
| good | good give | good keep |
| Other adjectives: short, perfect, powerful, big, huge, dark, main, important, major, worst. | ||
Common collocations
Both words in one sentence
- Trader Bob (1980-85): Too similar to Give or Keep, only without any room for error.
Source: Retired Game Show Element - Give or Keep (1972-90): The staff just didn't like it; Roger Dobkowitz had planned a Season 38 comeback until he was sacked.
Source: Retired Game Show Element -
It's more like Irma doesn't want to give the geek a chance while giving him just enough to keep hoping.
Source: Give Geeks a Chance
Cite this Source
Keep and Give. (2016). Retrieved 2026, August 15, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/give/keep
Give & Keep. N.p., 2016. Web. 15 Aug. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/give/keep>.
Keep or Give. 2016. Accessed August 15, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/give/keep.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "give" and "keep" have occurred on timeline