offer

1 of 2

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

—F. M. 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 cameras at reasonable prices

6

: to present in performance or exhibition

offered a new comedy

7

: to propose as payment : bid

offered me $100 for the recliner

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.

offer

2 of 2

noun

1

a

: a presenting of something for acceptance

considering job offers from several firms

an offer of marriage

b

: an undertaking to do an act or give something on condition that the party to whom the proposal is made do some specified act or make a return promise

2

obsolete : offering

3

: a price named by one proposing to buy : bid

4

a

: attempt, try

b

: an action or movement indicating a purpose or intention

Phrases

on offer

chiefly British : being offered especially for sale

Synonyms

Verb

• extend
• give
• proffer
• tender
• trot out

Noun

• assay [archaic]
• attempt
• bash [chiefly British]
• bid
• crack
• endeavor
• essay
• fling
• go
• pass
• shot
• stab
• trial
• try
• whack
• whirl

Examples of offer in a Sentence

Verb

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.

Noun

After considering several job offers, she accepted a position with a local bank.

He turned down an offer to run the company.

We decided to hold out for a better offer.

“How much do you want for the bike?” “I don't know. Make me an offer.”

This special offer is good only while supplies last.

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Among its facilities is an underground cafeteria with seating for 300 people, which offers a sense of how many people could be housed there. —Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 1 May 2025

Industry insiders attribute their rapid rise in part to innovation-friendly rules that allowed tech startups to apply for — and secure — licenses to offer banking and electronic money services with greater ease. —Ryan Browne, CNBC, 30 Apr. 2025

Noun

The Blue Oval's website claims that the offer extends to select 2024 and 2025 Ford and Lincoln nameplates. —Charles Singh, USA Today, 2 May 2025

Before that postseason even concluded, Miami was hard at work to reinvent itself and go again, having missed on winning arguably the two biggest trophies on offer in Messi’s first 18 months. —Jeff Rueter, New York Times, 1 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

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

Verb

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

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at 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

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

Verb

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