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Synonyms

offering

American  
[aw-fer-ing, of-er-] / ˈɔ fər ɪŋ, ˈɒf ər- /

noun

  1. something offered in worship or devotion, as to a deity; an oblation or sacrifice.

  2. a contribution given to or through the church for a particular purpose, as at a religious service.

  3. anything offered as a gift.

  4. something presented for inspection or sale.

  5. a sale.

    our spring offering of furniture.

  6. the act of one who offers.


offering British  
/ ˈɒfərɪŋ /

noun

  1. something that is offered

  2. a contribution to the funds of a religious organization

  3. a sacrifice, as of an animal, to a deity

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of offering

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English offrung; equivalent to offer + -ing 1

Explanation

An offering is a type of offer or bid, like the kind made in a business meeting. When you offer something—like a cookie—you're asking someone if they want it. An offering is like that: it's an offer. One type of offering is a proposal or bid made in business. A sports team could make an offering of three million dollars a year to a running back. A bidder could make an offering of one thousand dollars at an auction. An offering is a promise to pay that much if the offering is accepted.

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Vocabulary lists containing offering

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Musk’s SpaceX, which is pursuing an initial public offering expected to be valued at as much as $2 trillion, has also given Musk a performance-based plan.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 27, 2026

Elon Musk’s rocket company is planning a record-setting initial public offering of stock.

From Barron's • Apr. 27, 2026

The startup is eyeing an initial public offering as soon as this year.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 27, 2026

Colombia's Defence Minister Pedro Sánchez says he is offering a record reward for information leading to the capture of a rebel leader known as "Marlon".

From BBC • Apr. 27, 2026

I look down to see Lily offering me a shiny green necklace, just like the ones around her neck.

From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller