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¹offer

verb of·fer \ˈȯ-fər, ˈä-\

: to give someone the opportunity to accept or take (something)

: to say that you are willing to do something

: to make (something) available : to provide or supply (something)

of·feredof·fer·ing \-f(ə-)riŋ\

Full Definition of OFFER

transitive verb

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

b : to utter (as a prayer) in devotion

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>

a : propose, suggest <offer a solution to a problem>

b : to declare one's readiness or willingness <offered to help me>

a : to try or begin to exert : put up <offered stubborn resistance>

b : threaten <offered to strike him with his cane>

: to make available : afford; especially : to place (merchandise) on sale

: to present in performance or exhibition

: to propose as payment : bid

intransitive verb

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

archaic : to make an attempt

: to present itself

: to make a proposal (as of marriage)

See offer defined for English-language learners

See offer defined for kids

Origin of OFFER

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 12th century

Related to OFFER

Synonyms: extend, give, proffer, tender, trot out, run by (or run past)

Rhymes with OFFER

coffer, goffer, scoffer

²offer

noun

: the act of giving someone the opportunity to accept something : the act of offering something

: an amount of money that someone is willing to pay for something

: an opportunity to buy something at a price that is lower than the usual price

Full Definition of OFFER

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

obsolete : offering

: a price named by one proposing to buy : bid

a : attempt, try

b : an action or movement indicating a purpose or intention

— on offer

chiefly British : being offered especially for sale

See offer defined for English-language learners

First Known Use of OFFER

15th century

Related to OFFER

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

Rhymes with OFFER

coffer, goffer, proffer, quaffer, scoffer, troffer

OFFER[2] Defined for Kids

¹offer

verb of·fer \ˈȯ-fər\

of·feredof·fer·ing

Definition of OFFER for Kids

: to present (something) to be accepted or rejected <She offered me a piece of pie.>

: to declare willingness <We offered to help.>

: to present for consideration : suggest <Can I offer a suggestion?>

: to make by effort <The local people offered no resistance to invaders.>

: to present as an act of worship <We offered up prayers.>

Word Root of OFFER

The Latin word ferre, meaning “to carry” or “to bring,” gives us the root fer. Words from the Latin ferre have something to do with carrying. To transfer is to carry across from one person, place, or condition to another. To confer is to bring something to someone in order to present it. To offer is to bring forth for another to accept or reject. To prefer is to carry a stronger liking for one over another.

Synonym Discussion of OFFER

offer and present mean to put before another for acceptance. offer is used when the thing may be accepted or refused. <He offered more coffee to the guests.> present is used when something is offered with the hope or expectation of its being accepted. <Salesmen presented their goods.> <The principal presented our diplomas.>