Main Entry: ¹of·fer

Pronunciation: \ˈȯ-fər, ˈä-\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): of·fered; of·fer·ing \-f(ə-)riŋ\

Etymology: Middle English offren, in sense 1, from Old English offrian, from Late Latin offerre, from Latin, to present, tender, from ob- toward + ferre to carry; in other senses, from Anglo-French offrir, from Latin offerre — more at bear

Date: before 12th century

transitive verb 1 a : to present as an act of worship or devotion : sacrifice b : to utter (as a prayer) in devotion
2 a : to present for acceptance or rejection : tender <was offered a job> b : to present in order to satisfy a requirement <candidates for degrees may offer French as one of their foreign languages>
3 a : propose, suggest <offer a solution to a problem> b : to declare one's readiness or willingness <offered to help me>
4 a : to try or begin to exert : put up <offered stubborn resistance> b : threaten <offered to strike him with his cane>
5 : to make available : afford; especially : to place (merchandise) on sale
6 : to present in performance or exhibition
7 : to propose as payment : bidintransitive verb 1 : to present something as an act of worship or devotion : sacrifice
2 archaic : to make an attempt
3 : to present itself
4 : to make a proposal (as of marriage)