given
UK: ˈɡɪv.ən | US: ˈɡɪv.ən
adj. already decided or agreed upon
adj. inclined or disposed to
prep. taking into account; considering
The word "given" originates from the Old English "giefan," meaning "to grant or bestow." The past participle suffix "-en" was added to form "given," which initially functioned as the past participle of "give." Over time, it evolved into an adjective and preposition, retaining its core idea of something "granted" or "assumed." The modern usage reflects both literal ("a given fact") and figurative ("given the circumstances") contexts.
The deadline is a given and cannot be extended.
She is given to spontaneous acts of kindness.
Given the weather, we decided to stay indoors.
His success was not a given; he worked hard for it.
Given your experience, you should lead the project.