proffer

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verb

prof·​fer ˈprä-fər How to pronounce proffer (audio)
proffered; proffering ˈprä-f(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce proffer (audio)

transitive verb

: to present for acceptance : tender, offer

intransitive verb

US law
: to offer to take part in a proffer session
decided that an indictment was unlikely and there was no reason to proffer

proffer

2 of 2

noun

1
2
US law : an offer made to a prosecutor by a person who is a subject of a criminal investigation to provide information in exchange for limited immunity or a plea bargaining agreement
made a proffer in the hope of avoiding prosecution

Did you know?

As rhyming synonyms, proffer and offer are quite the pair, and we can proffer an explanation as to why: both come ultimately from Latin offerre, meaning “to present, tender, proffer, offer.” Offer had been part of the language for hundreds of years before proffer was adopted by way of an Anglo-French intermediary in the 14th century. A more formal word than its plainer relation, proffer often emphasizes courteousness on the part of the one doing the tendering.

Examples of proffer in a Sentence

Verb He proffered advice on how best to proceed. proffered his assistance in helping the two sides reach a compromise Noun a generous proffer of his baronial estate for the charity gala
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
Inside the Fair View Hotel, its diminutive proprietor, Belinda Mulrooney, proffered menus boasting oysters and steak. Melanie Haiken, Smithsonian Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024 Companies that make doors were happy to proffer their opinion. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024
Noun
But the Biden campaign did not respond to the proffer. Dan De Luce, NBC News, 8 Oct. 2024 The filing, known as a proffer, was made by prosecutors in support of their request that a judge order the Routh held without bail at the hearing. Dan Mangan, CNBC, 23 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for proffer 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'proffer.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English profren, from Anglo-French profrer, proffrir, porofrir, from por- forth (from Latin pro-) + offrir to offer — more at pro-

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of proffer was in the 14th century

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near proffer

Cite this Entry

“Proffer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proffer. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

proffer

verb
prof·​fer
ˈpräf-ər
proffered; proffering
ˈpräf-(ə-)riŋ
proffer noun

More from Merriam-Webster on proffer

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