proffer
Americanverb (used with object)
-
proffers,
present (3rd person singular)
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proffered,
past participle, past
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proffering
present participle
noun
-
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
-
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
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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
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
Remarkably, the Justice Department did not even proffer this argument; the majority just made it up.
From Slate ● Jul. 8, 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
But van Mulukon proffers another wrinkle to the mix of set, setting and neurology: culture.
From Salon ● Mar. 8, 2024
The affecting narrative proffers feminist solutions for a troubled nation.
From New York Times ● Feb. 7, 2024
They sat for video-recorded interviews with prosecutors - called proffers - that give a glimpse of their potential testimony.
From Washington Times ● Nov. 15, 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
It isn’t readily apparent Abel can find conditions, at least in listed markets, that satisfy the simple and profound counsel proffered so long ago by Buffett’s late partner, Charlie Munger.
From Barron's ● Jan. 21, 2026
Several students meekly raised their hands and proffered the name of Harry Truman.
From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who is attending Davos, has been proffering similarly reassuring messages ahead of Trump’s arrival.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 21, 2026
His moment in the Oval Office, proffering the invite from the King for a historic second state visit, "the most heart in mouth" moment of the whole year for some of his allies.
From BBC ● Dec. 13, 2025
Passersby pressed their hands into hers, proffering congratulations.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 13, 2024
My spouse and I had been endlessly signing forms and proffering photo identifications to open a new account we'd needed.
From Salon ● Oct. 15, 2022
He shuffled half sidewise, an injured crab, making his way toward where Ed Soames stood proffering the Holy Bible.
From "Snow Falling on Cedars: A Novel" by David Guterson
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.
