definitions

tender

1
[ ten-der ]
/ ˈtɛn dər /
|
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR tender ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective, ten·der·er, ten·der·est.

verb (used with object)

to make tender.
Archaic. to regard or treat tenderly.

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RELATED WORDS

carefully, delicately, gently, lightly, gingerly, fondly, affectionately, mildly, adoringly

Nearby words

tend to, tendance, tendency, tendency tone, tendentious, tender, tender age, tender is the night, tender loving care, tender mercies, tender offer

Origin of tender

1
1175–1225; Middle English, variant of tendre < Old French < Latin tenerum, accusative of tener tender

Related forms

ten·der·ly, adverbten·der·ness, nounself-ten·der·ness, nounun·ten·der·ly, adverb

Can be confused

tender tenor tenure
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for tenderly

British Dictionary definitions for tenderly (1 of 3)

tender

1
/ (ˈtɛndə) /

adjective

verb

(tr) rare
  1. to make tender
  2. to treat tenderly

Derived Forms

tenderly, adverbtenderness, noun

Word Origin for tender

C13: from Old French tendre, from Latin tener delicate

British Dictionary definitions for tenderly (2 of 3)

tender

2
/ (ˈtɛndə) /

verb

(tr) to give, present, or offerto tender one's resignation; tender a bid
(intr foll by for) to make a formal offer or estimate for (a job or contract)
(tr) law to offer (money or goods) in settlement of a debt or claim

noun

the act or an instance of tendering; offer
commerce a formal offer to supply specified goods or services at a stated cost or rate
something, esp money, used as an official medium of paymentlegal tender

Derived Forms

tenderable, adjectivetenderer, noun

Word Origin for tender

C16: from Anglo-French tendre, from Latin tendere to extend; see tend 1

British Dictionary definitions for tenderly (3 of 3)

tender

3
/ (ˈtɛndə) /

noun

a small boat, such as a dinghy, towed or carried by a yacht or ship
a vehicle drawn behind a steam locomotive to carry the fuel and water
an ancillary vehicle used to carry supplies, spare parts, etc, for a mobile operation, such as an outside broadcast
a person who tends

Word Origin for tender

C15: variant of attender
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

Medicine definitions for tenderly

tender

[ tĕn′dər ]

adj.

Easily crushed or bruised; fragile.
Easily hurt; sensitive.
Painful; sore.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Idioms and Phrases with tenderly

tender

see leave to someone's tender mercies.

The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.