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

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Verb
One of the luminaries del Toro and crew are competing against at Venice 2025, interestingly, is Yorgos Lanthimos, who previously proffered his own riff on Frankenstein with Poor Things. Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025 Trump said there was sufficient evidence that Cook had made false statements on mortgage applications, though no public evidence has been proffered. Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 26 Aug. 2025
Noun
Sources close to the investigation, speaking on the condition of anonymity, say the prosecution team had completed a proffer deal with Resorts World just before the election and was awaiting a sign-off from upper management in the Department of Justice’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section. David Amsden, Rolling Stone, 29 Aug. 2025 After Demeir had gone to his room for a nap, prosecutors said Bell concealed her purse in the boy’s room, went to take a shower, according to the prosecution’s proffer. William Lee, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for proffer

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

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Cite this Entry

“Proffer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proffer. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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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