offer

verb

of·​fer ˈȯ-fər 

ˈä-

offered; offering ˈȯ-f(ə-)riŋ 

ˈä-

transitive verb

1

a

: to present as an act of worship or devotion : sacrifice

… to a Catholic church where she would offer a candle or so to his recovery …

—Ford Madox Ford

b

: to utter (something, such as a prayer) in devotion

offered up prayers of thanksgiving

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

The summit offers a panoramic view.

especially : to place (merchandise) on sale

offers a range of items at reasonable prices

6

: to present in performance or exhibition

offered a new comedy

7

: to propose as payment : bid

offered me $200 for the bike

intransitive verb

1

: to present something as an act of worship or devotion : sacrifice

We are going to offer at the holy shrine.

2

archaic : to make an attempt

3

: to present itself

buying land whenever opportunity offered

4

: to make a proposal (as of marriage)

He offered to her after a three months' courtship.

Synonyms of offer

• give

Examples of offer in a Sentence

I was offered a position at a bank, but I turned it down.

The victims were offered money as compensation for their injuries.

If I may, I'd like to offer you a bit of advice.

One of his neighbors offered to mow his lawn.

A woman stopped and offered to help us.

We don't need any help, but thank you for offering.

They offer their customers a choice between soup or salad.

Living in a large city offers a number of advantages.

I'd like to offer a couple of comments on the points you've raised.

I really don't know enough about it to offer an opinion.

Recent Examples on the Web

On the surface, the Yaima Maru offers a perfect slow-travel escape — a passenger ferry equipped with saunas, karaoke rooms and a top-deck cafe. —Wayne Chang, CNN Money, 3 June 2026

Fairy-tale heroines are also remarkably diverse, and offer us many iterations of the archetypal feminine. —Literary Hub, 3 June 2026

Rich, warm, toffee tones carry throughout the lobby and lounges; the space offers grand views over the Chao Praya and the Thai river homes across the water. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 June 2026

That offers nearly 12% upside from Tuesday’s close. —Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 3 June 2026

Word History

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

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1a

Phrases Containing offer

• make an offer
• offer no apology for
• offer resistance
• on offer
• on special offer
• tender offer

Rhymes for offer

• coffer
• proffer
• scoffer
• counteroffer
• spermatophore

Kids Definition

offer

1 of 2 verb

of·​fer ˈȯf-ər 

ˈäf-

offered; offering -(ə-)riŋ 

1

: to present as an act of worship : sacrifice

2

: to present (something) to be accepted or rejected

was offered the job

offer $10 for the lamp

offer fruit for sale

3

a

: to present for consideration : suggest

offer a suggestion

b

: to declare one's willingness

offered to help

4

: to try to make or do : put up

offered stubborn resistance

5

: to make available

the hut offered protection from the wind and rain

6

: to propose as payment

I'll offer you $700 for that car

offer

2 of 2 noun

1

: an act or instance of offering

an offer to help

2

: a price suggested by one prepared to buy : bid

Etymology

Old English offrian "to present as an act of worship," derived from Latin offerre "to present, offer," from of-, ob- "to, toward" and ferre "to bear, carry" — related to defer entry 1, refer

Legal Definition

offer

noun

of·​fer

ˈȯ-fər

1

: a proposal, promise, or other manifestation of willingness to make and fulfill a contract or to bargain under proposed terms with another party that has the power to accept it upon receiving it

denied accepting the offer

see also revoke, tender offer

2

: a price named by one proposing to buy (as in a bid, bargain, or settlement) : the amount of an offer to pay money

decided the offer was too low

offer verb