proffer
Americanverb (used with object)
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proffers,
present (3rd person singular)
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proffered,
past participle, past
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proffering
present participle
noun
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the act of proffering.
-
an offer or proposal.
verb
noun
Synonym Usage
See offer.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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proffersimple
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profferssimple
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have profferedperfect
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has profferedperfect
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am profferingprogressive
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are profferingprogressive
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is profferingprogressive
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have been profferingperfect progressive
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has been profferingperfect progressive
Past
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profferedsimple
-
had profferedperfect
-
was profferingprogressive
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were profferingprogressive
-
had been profferingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of proffer
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English profren, from Anglo-French profrer, variant of Old French poroffrir, equivalent to por- pro- 1 + offrir offer
Explanation
If you present something for acceptance or rejection, you proffer it. If your best friend is really struggling with her math homework, you might want to proffer her some advice — like suggesting that she get a tutor. What's the difference between proffer and offer? If you say you proffered something to a friend, it suggests a spirit of generosity and it signals that your friend was welcome to accept or reject it as he saw fit. In other words, proffer is usually a little more polite than offer. To remember this, think of the following equation: p[oliteness] + offer = proffer.
Vocabulary lists containing proffer
Lord of the Flies
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Power Prefix: pro
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Beowulf
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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.
See Examples For:
He now says his proffer agreement with police, under which he agreed to tell them what he knew but it couldn't be used against him in court, was given under duress, according to Netflix.
From BBC ● Dec. 2, 2025
He knows how to conduct a proffer, trust me.
From Slate ● Nov. 24, 2025
If past is prologue, he will overreach in response to this week’s peace proffer, rejecting what many in his entourage would view as an attractive exit from a strategic miscue.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 21, 2025
Lawyers for the state and for inmates have 10 days to comment on the judge’s proffer.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 19, 2025
“The Holy Father bids us to accept your proffer, Lancelot” The pathos which was growing in the room was broken by the Orkney faction for the second time.
From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White
Standing out from the rest of the Crosstrek lineup, the Wilderness grade proffers a more distinct, rugged appearance.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 26, 2025
“All four of those people that did their proffers in front of you, they did their plea, it was all recorded, it was sent out there for the world to see,” he said.
From Slate ● Nov. 18, 2023
When the judge asked Miller why he leaked the proffers, Miller defended his actions.
From Salon ● Nov. 16, 2023
By the film’s end, some lessons will have been learned, though Holofcener proffers them with such disarming skill that you may not be aware you absorbed them.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 25, 2023
She goes round and proffers each of us her hand.
From "All Quiet on the Western Front: A Novel" by Erich Maria Remarque
They wrote that the government’s “sole proffered evidence” of Allen’s intent to kill Trump — the “Apology and Explanation” letter — was “far from clear” and never actually mentioned Trump by name.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 30, 2026
An MP close to Miliband proffered a more straightforward explanation.
From BBC ● Apr. 22, 2026
Although China has never offered a straightforward explanation for why it stopped sending the aircraft—and why it resumed again—Taiwanese officials and outside analysts in Taipei and Washington have proffered various theories.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 15, 2026
Netflix on Tuesday revised the terms of the proffered deal to make it all-cash and to provide WBD shareholders with more certainty about the transaction, the company said in a release.
From Barron's ● Jan. 20, 2026
"I am comfortable with that," Vogel replied, taking the proffered breakfast.
From "The Martian" by Andy Weir
Software giant Adobe is proffering an AI agent for corporate customers that it’s hoping can help revive a business that’s been on the ropes lately.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 21, 2026
But “Tracks II” more than makes up for this omission by proffering such a wide range of previously unreleased music.
From Salon ● Jun. 24, 2025
Passersby pressed their hands into hers, proffering congratulations.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 13, 2024
The claim could be seen as a case of China deflecting and engaging in "whataboutism", said Mr Thompson, which is a way of responding to an accusation by proffering a counter-accusation.
From BBC ● Feb. 17, 2023
Before he knew it, Bobby’s winnings from Reykjavik were beginning to diminish, and yet he saw that Rader and Armstrong were flying all over the world, entertaining lavishly, and proffering gifts to world leaders.
From "Endgame" by Frank Brady
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
