regift

American  

[ree-gift] / riˈgɪft /

verb (used with or without object)

1. to give (an unwantedgift ) to someone else.

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noun

1. an unwanted gift that is given away.

Other Word Forms

• regifter noun

Etymology

Origin of regift

First recorded in 1995–2000; re- + gift

Explanation

To regift is to take a present you received and give it to someone else. If you'll never wear the striped sweater your aunt knitted for your birthday, you should regift it. Everyone gets gifts that aren't quite right sometimes. You might receive a jacket that doesn't fit, a candle that smells weird to you, or a fancy chocolate bar with nuts (and you're allergic). In cases like these, you can regift, giving the jacket to your sister for her birthday, bringing the candle to a housewarming party, and putting the chocolate in your dad's Christmas stocking. Regift adds re-, "again," to the verb gift, "give as a gift."

Example Sentences

Etiquette expert Antoinette Akanji's has another golden rule: regift outside your social circle.

From BBC • Dec. 25, 2025

You could regift it to a friend or neighbor, donate to a charity or hand it to a first responder as a thank you for their hard work during the pandemic, Tilson suggests.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 10, 2022

My mother quickly absconded with it, declaring it a perfect regift.

From Salon • Sep. 13, 2021

I get the irritating feeling when your gift isn’t appreciated, but whether they stick a gift in a closet, donate it, regift it, or use it really is their decision.

From Slate • Dec. 10, 2019

“Hershey’s is chocolate. Perugina is something you save in a drawer because it’s too expensive to eat, and then you regift it at Christmas.”

From "Burning Blue" by Paul Griffin