Regift: Meaning, Definition, Spelling, & How to Use It Correctly

The word regift means giving someone a gift that you previously received from another person. It is commonly used when someone receives an item they do not need, want, or plan to use and decides to pass it along as a present.

For example, if your friend gives you a coffee mug and you later give that same mug to your coworker as a birthday present, you have regifted it. Although the practice can sometimes seem awkward, regifting is a familiar part of modern gift-giving culture.

Understanding the meaning of regift also helps you use it correctly in everyday conversations, writing, and social situations. It is a standard English verb, and its grammatical forms include regifts, regifted, and regifting.

If you are an English learner, student, or native speaker, knowing how to spell and use this word can help you communicate more naturally.

Quick Answer: What Does Regift Mean?

Regift means giving someone a present that you previously received from another person. It is usually used when passing along an unwanted or unused gift. For example, if you receive a candle and later give it to someone else as a present, you are regifting it.

Why Do People Use the Word Regift?

People use the word regift when discussing the practice of giving previously received presents to other people.

This may happen for several reasons:

• Someone receives a gift they already own.
• A present does not match the recipient’s interests.
• A person wants to avoid wasting an unused item.
• Someone has an appropriate gift available for another occasion.
• A person wants to save money while still giving a thoughtful present.

Regifting is especially common in conversations about birthdays, holidays, weddings, office parties, and other celebrations.

The word can have either a neutral or slightly negative tone, depending on the situation. Some people consider regifting practical and environmentally friendly, while others believe every present should be purchased specifically for its recipient.

Regift Meaning and Definition

Regift (verb): To give someone a gift that you previously received from another person.

In simple terms, regifting means passing a present along instead of keeping it for yourself.

For example:

• I decided to regift the unopened perfume.
• She regifted the sweater to her sister.
• He sometimes regifts items he cannot use.

The word combines the prefix re-, meaning again, with gift, meaning a present or something given to another person.

Together, they describe the act of giving a previously received gift again.

What Part of Speech Is Regift?

Regift is primarily used as a verb.

It describes the action of giving a previously received present to someone else.

However, it can also appear as a noun in informal English, referring to an item that has been given to someone again.

Regift as a Verb

As a verb, regift describes the action of passing along a gift.

Examples:

• I might regift this unopened box of chocolates.
• They regift unwanted holiday presents.
• She regifted the handbag to her cousin.

Regift as a Noun

As a noun, regift refers to the previously received item that someone gives to another person.

Examples:

• That candle was a regift.
• I received a beautiful regift from my neighbor.
• Nobody realized the present was a regift.

The noun form is less common than the verb form.

Grammatical Forms of Regift

Regift follows the regular English verb pattern. You can change its form depending on the tense and sentence structure.

Grammatical Form	Word	Example
Base form	Regift	I may regift the book.
Third-person singular	Regifts	He regifts unwanted presents.
Simple past	Regifted	She regifted the vase.
Past participle	Regifted	The item was regifted.
Present participle	Regifting	They are regifting the toys.
Gerund	Regifting	Regifting can save money.

Is Regift One Word or Two?

Regift is written as one word.

The correct spelling is regift, not re gift or re-gift in standard modern usage.

Examples:

• Correct: I decided to regift the book.
• Incorrect: I decided to re gift the book.
• Incorrect: I decided to re-gift the book.

Using one word is the simplest and most widely accepted spelling in contemporary American English.

Regift Examples in Everyday Sentences

Here are five practical examples showing how to use regift correctly.

1. I decided to regift the coffee maker because I already have one.
2. She might regift the unopened perfume to her mother.
3. He regifted the expensive chocolates to his coworker.
4. My sister thinks regifting is perfectly acceptable.
5. They are planning to regift some unused holiday presents.

These examples show how regift works in casual conversations and everyday writing.

Additional Practical Examples of Regift

The following examples demonstrate different situations in which people commonly use the word.

1. My friend gave me a book that I had already read, so I decided to regift it.
2. She carefully checked the gift before deciding to regift it.
3. We should never regift something that is damaged or dirty.
4. He admitted that he had regifted the birthday present.
5. I would rather donate the unused item than regift it.
6. Regifting can be a practical way to reduce household waste.
7. Did you regift the scarf your aunt gave you?
8. My parents taught me to be thoughtful when choosing presents.
9. She accidentally regifted a present to the person who originally gave it to her.
10. Some people feel uncomfortable receiving a regift.
11. I am considering regifting this unopened kitchen appliance.
12. The office holiday party included a funny regifting game.

When Should You Use Regift?

Use regift when you want to describe giving a previously received present to another person.

It is appropriate in casual conversations, informal writing, blogs, and discussions about gift-giving habits.

For example:

• When discussing unwanted presents: “I might regift this sweater.”
• When describing a past action: “He regifted the gift card.”
• When talking about the practice generally: “Regifting is common during the holidays.”

However, consider the social situation before regifting something. Make sure the item is new or in excellent condition, appropriate for the new recipient, and not something the original giver would expect to see you using.

Common Mistakes When Using Regift

Although regift is a simple word, people sometimes make mistakes with its spelling and grammar.

1. Writing Regift as Two Words

Incorrect: I want to re gift this book.

Correct: I want to regift this book.

Regift is normally written as one word.

2. Using the Wrong Past-Tense Form

Incorrect: She regift the perfume yesterday.

Correct: She regifted the perfume yesterday.

Because regift is a regular verb, its simple past form is regifted.

3. Confusing Regift With Gift

Gift means giving something to someone as a present. Regift specifically means giving something that you previously received as a gift.

Incorrect: I regifted a brand-new phone that I purchased specifically for my brother.

Better: I gifted a brand-new phone to my brother.

4. Forgetting the Meaning of the Prefix Re-

The prefix re- generally means again. In regift, it indicates that an item is being given as a gift for a second time.

Remember that the word describes the item’s previous history, not simply the act of giving a present.

An Easy Memory Trick for Regift

A simple way to remember regift is to divide the word into two parts:

• Re- = Again
• Gift = Present

Put them together:

Re + Gift = Regift

Think of it as giving a gift again to another person.

For example, if you receive a notebook and later give that same notebook to a friend, you have regifted it.

This simple trick makes the meaning and spelling easy to remember.

American vs. British English: Is There a Difference?

Regift is used in both American and British English, and its basic meaning remains the same.

There is no major difference in its spelling or grammatical forms between the two varieties.

In both forms of English:

• Regift means giving a previously received present to someone else.
• Regifted is the simple past form.
• Regifting is the present participle and gerund.

The word is particularly familiar in conversations about holiday presents and unwanted gifts.

Similar and Related Words to Regift

Several English words are connected to regift, but they do not all have exactly the same meaning.

Word	Meaning	Example
Gift	To give something as a present	I gifted her a necklace.
Reuse	To use something again	We reuse old containers.
Repurpose	To use something for a different purpose	She repurposed an old basket.
Donate	To give something to a person or organization without payment	He donated his unused clothes.
Pass along	To give something to another person	She passed along the book.
Hand down	To give something to a younger person or another generation	My grandmother handed down her jewelry.
Recycle	To process materials so they can be used again	We recycle paper and plastic.

These words are related to giving or using items again, but regift has a more specific meaning: giving someone a present that you previously received.

Frequently Asked Questions About Regift

1. What does regift mean in simple words?

Regift means giving someone a present that another person previously gave you. For example, if you receive a candle and later give it to your friend as a birthday present, you have regifted it.

2. Is regift a real English word?

Yes, regift is an established English word commonly used in everyday conversations. It describes the practice of giving a previously received present to someone else. It is especially familiar in discussions about holiday gifts and unwanted presents.

3. Is regift one word or two?

Regift is written as one word in standard modern English. The spelling re gift is incorrect. Although re-gift may occasionally appear, regift is the preferred contemporary spelling.

4. What is the past tense of regift?

The past tense of regift is regifted. For example, “She regifted the unopened perfume to her sister.” Because regift is a regular verb, you simply add ed to form its simple past tense.

5. What is the difference between gift and regift?

Gift means giving something to another person as a present. Regift specifically means giving someone an item that you previously received as a present. The main difference is whether the item has already been given as a gift before.

6. Is regifting considered rude?

Regifting is not automatically rude. It depends on the circumstances, the condition of the item, and the relationship between the people involved. Passing along a suitable, unused present can be practical, but giving it carelessly may hurt someone’s feelings.

7. Can regift be used as a noun?

Yes. Although it is more commonly used as a verb, regift can also function as an informal noun referring to a previously received item that is given to someone else. For example, “The candle was a regift.”

8. What is the opposite of regift?

There is no exact one word opposite of regift. However, keeping a present, using it yourself, or purchasing a new gift specifically for someone else expresses the opposite idea in different situations.

Remember This

• Regift means giving a previously received present to someone else.
• It is primarily a verb but can also function as an informal noun.
• Regift is the preferred one-word spelling.
• Regifted is the correct simple past form.
• Regifting can be practical, but thoughtfulness and social awareness matter.
• American and British English generally use the same spelling and meaning.

Conclusion

Regift is a useful English word that describes the practice of giving a previously received present to another person. It is commonly used in everyday conversations about birthdays, holidays, celebrations, and unwanted gifts.

Understanding its definition, spelling, and grammatical forms makes it easier to use correctly in both speaking and writing.

The easiest way to remember regift is to think of re as meaning again and gift as meaning present.

Together, they describe giving a gift again. If you are learning English or improving your everyday vocabulary, knowing how to use regift will help you communicate this familiar practice clearly and naturally.