offer

American  

[aw-fer, of-er] / ˈɔ fər, ˈɒf ər /

verb (used with object)

1. to present for acceptance or rejection; proffer.

   He offered me a cigarette.

   Antonyms:

   withhold, withdraw

2. to propose or put forward for consideration.

   to offer a suggestion.

   Synonyms:

   propose, move, give

3. to propose or volunteer (to do something).

   She offered to accompany me.

4. to make a show of intention (to do something).

   We did not offer to go first.

5. to give, make, or promise.

   She offered no response.

6. to present solemnly as an act of worship or devotion, as to God, a deity or a saint; sacrifice.

7. to present for sale.

   He offered the painting to me at a reduced price.

8. to tender or bid as a price.

   to offer ten dollars for a radio.

9. to attempt or threaten to do, engage in, or inflict.

   to offer battle.

10. to put forth; exert.

    to offer resistance.

11. to present to sight or notice.

12. to introduce or present for exhibition or performance.

13. to render (homage, thanks, etc.).

14. to present or volunteer (oneself ) to someone as a spouse.

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verb (used without object)

1. to present itself; occur.

   Whenever an opportunity offered, he slipped off to town.

2. to present something as an act of worship or devotion; sacrifice.

3. to make a proposal or suggestion.

4. to suggest oneself to someone for marriage; propose.

5. Archaic. to make an attempt (followed byat ).

noun

1. an act or instance of offering.

   an offer of help.

   Antonyms:

   denial, refusal

2. the condition of being offered.

   an offer for sale.

3. something offered.

4. a proposal or bid to give or pay something as the price of something else; bid.

   an offer of $90,000 for the house.

5. Law. a proposal that requires only acceptance in order to create a contract.

6. an attempt or endeavor.

7. a show of intention.

8. a proposal of marriage.

offer ¹ British  

/ ˈɒfə /

verb

1. to present or proffer (something, someone, oneself, etc) for acceptance or rejection

2. (tr) to present as part of a requirement

   she offered English as a second subject

3. (tr) to provide or make accessible

   this stream offers the best fishing

4. (intr) to present itself

   if an opportunity should offer

5. (tr) to show or express willingness or the intention (to do something)

6. (tr) to put forward (a proposal, opinion, etc) for consideration

7. (tr) to present for sale

8. (tr) to propose as payment; bid or tender

9. to present (a prayer, sacrifice, etc) as or during an act of worship

10. (tr) to show readiness for

    to offer battle

11. archaic (intr) to make a proposal of marriage

12. (tr; sometimes foll by up or to) engineering to bring (a mechanical piece) near to or in contact with another, and often to proceed to fit the pieces together

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noun

1. something, such as a proposal or bid, that is offered

2. the act of offering or the condition of being offered

3. contract law a proposal made by one person that will create a binding contract if accepted unconditionally by the person to whom it is made See also acceptance

4. a proposal of marriage

5. short for offer price

6. for sale at a reduced price

Offer ² British  

/ ˈɒfə /

acronym

1. Office of Electricity Regulation: merged with Ofgas in 1999 to form Ofgem

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Related Words

Offer, proffer, tender mean to present for acceptance or refusal. Offer is a common word in general use for presenting something to be accepted or rejected: to offer assistance. Proffer, with the same meaning, is now chiefly a literary word: to proffer one's services. Tender (no longer used in reference to concrete objects) is a ceremonious term for a more or less formal or conventional act: to tender one's resignation.

Other Word Forms

• nonoffer noun
• offerable adjective
• offerer noun
• offeror noun
• preoffer noun
• reoffer verb
• self-offered adjective
• unoffered adjective

Etymology

Origin of offer

First recorded before 900; Middle English offren, Old English offrian “to present in worship,” from Latin offerre, equivalent to of- of- + ferre “to bring”; bear ¹

Example Sentences

Speaking in the Commons, she added that those seeking a suspension were only a "minority" of affected councils, without offering further details.

From BBC

Even though the genetic make-up of the virus has shifted, the main jab is still thought to offer an effective level of protection, particularly against ending up in hospital with severe disease.

From BBC

The Warner Bros. superhero movie makes a solid start at the box office, offering hope for the studio’s overhaul of its DC brand.

From The Wall Street Journal

A hit of Worcestershire deepens the savoriness, and a dusting of cayenne on the finished dish offers a quiet jolt, just enough to make you notice it.

From Salon

Art Hogan, chief market strategist at B. Riley Wealth, said the report reflected discounts offered by retailers in November, as the holiday shopping season swung into gear.

From BBC

Related Words

• afford
• allow
• award
• display
• donate
• extend
• give
• grant
• provide
• show
• submit
• suggest