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

Both the House Judiciary and Intelligence committees are expected to offer up several amendments, with the latter aiming to impose new warrant requirements on the FBI prior to querying the 702 database for information on Americans. —Condé Nast, WIRED, 10 Apr. 2024

Norway is among the countries that does not offer a bonus to its medalists. —Becky Sullivan, NPR, 10 Apr. 2024

Images that show 'satanism in public schools' are digital creations Though the woman was correct in noting the chain celebrated the Mercury retrograde in 2022 by offering free tarot card readings, there's no evidence McDonald's ever sold any demonic merchandise. —Hannah Hudnall, USA TODAY, 10 Apr. 2024

Other programming and services are offered for expecting parents, long-term care facility residents, community gardeners, and human trafficking survivors, among others. —Matthew Glowicki, The Courier-Journal, 10 Apr. 2024

The changes will give middle school students access to most of the sports offered at the high school level, said Darren Thomas, IPS’s director of athletics. —Caroline Beck, The Indianapolis Star, 10 Apr. 2024

Affordability, access, rigor, convenience, appropriateness, are the things that parents care about, and the right needs something to offer them. —Frederick M. Hess and Michael McShane, TIME, 10 Apr. 2024

Centuries of studying animal behavior changes during eclipses Historical records offer a glimpse into the enduring curiosity surrounding this topic. —Trilce Estrada Olvera, The Arizona Republic, 10 Apr. 2024

What other amenities are offered? ▪ More than half a dozen flat screen TVs tuned to various networks such as CNBC, ESPN and the Weather Channel ▪ Two showers. —Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 10 Apr. 2024

Noun

One of the most exquisite pieces on offer is a Diamante Star gown by Arbeid (estimate: $200,000 to $400,000) that Diana wore to the Phantom of the Opera premiere and a dinner with King Constantine of Greece in 1986 (pictured top). —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 11 Apr. 2024

Still, Prime members will get free shipping and exclusive offers on top pet products. —Tim Chan, Variety, 11 Apr. 2024

There should be things on offer to do, but it should be made very clear that everything is optional, and staying in your room and having a massage is absolutely acceptable. —Lilah Ramzi, Vogue, 10 Apr. 2024

Bonuses and promos to look for include welcome offers, reload bonuses, refer-a-friend bonuses, and a VIP program. —Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 10 Apr. 2024

The offer is valid at your nearest participating Shake Shack or online on the Shake Shack app or website. —Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 9 Apr. 2024

Food company Conagra Brands will close its Beaver Dam Birds Eye food processing facility and warehouse and lay offer over 250 people, with all operations ending by early 2025. —David Clarey, Journal Sentinel, 9 Apr. 2024

This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. —Kansas City Star, 8 Apr. 2024

Without knowing how much a student may get from the federal government, many schools and scholarship programs can’t put together offers of their own. —Haley Messenger, NBC News, 8 Apr. 2024

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

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