offer — English Dictionary

offer
Word-form referencesoff
Pronunciations (4)
  • /ˈɒfə(ɹ)/
    Pronunciation notes
    • Received-Pronunciation
  • /ˈɔːfə(ɹ)/
    Pronunciation notes
    • Received-Pronunciation
  • /ˈɔfɚ/
    Pronunciation notes
    • General-American
  • /ˈɑfɚ/
    Pronunciation notes
    • cot-caught-merger

Noun

  1. A proposal that has been made.

    Examples

    What's in his offer?

    I decline your offer to contract.

    More examples (1)

    One morning I had been driven to the precarious refuge afforded by the steps of the inn, after rejecting offers from the Celebrity to join him in a variety of amusements. But even here I was not free from interruption, for he was seated on a horse-block below me, playing with a fox terrier.

  2. Something put forth, bid, proffered or tendered.

    Examples

    His offer was $3.50 per share.

  3. An invitation to enter into a binding contract communicated to another party which contains terms sufficiently definite to create an enforceable contract if the other party accepts the invitation.

    Examples

    His first letter was not a real offer, but an attempt to determine interest.

Verb

  1. To propose or express one's willingness (to do something).

    Usage
    • Intransitive
    Examples

    She offered to help with her homework.

  2. To present in words; to proffer; to make a proposal of; to suggest.

    Usage
    • Transitive
    Examples

    Everybody offered an opinion.

  3. To place at someone’s disposal; to present (something) to be either accepted or turned down.

    Usage
    • Transitive
    Synonyms
    Examples

    He offered use of his car for the week.

    He offered his good will for the Councilman's vote.

    More examples (2)

    Carried somehow, somewhither, for some reason, on these surging floods, were these travelers,[…]. Even such a boat as the Mount Vernon offered a total deck space so cramped as to leave secrecy or privacy well out of the question, even had the motley and democratic assemblage of passengers been disposed to accord either.

    Seeing the British establishment struggle with the financial sector is like watching an alcoholic[…]. Until 2008 there was denial over what finance had become.[…]But the scandals kept coming,[…]. A broad section of the political class now recognises the need for change but remains unable to see the necessity of a fundamental overhaul. Instead it offers fixes and patches.

  4. To place at someone’s disposal; to present (something) to be either accepted or turned down. To present (something) for sale.

    Usage
    • Transitive
  5. To present (something) to God or gods, as a gesture of worship or as a sacrifice.

    Usage
    • Transitive
    Examples

    Thou shalt offer every day a bullock for a sin offering for atonement.

  6. To present (something) to the sight etc.; to provide for use, consideration etc.

    Usage
    • Transitive
    • of a thing
    Examples

    The city offers beautiful architecture.

  7. To place (something) in a position where it can be added to an existing mechanical assembly.

    Usage
    • Transitive
    Examples

    The next stage is to remove and replace the top part of the right side lip, and offer the lid to the car to ensure all the shapes and gaps are okay.

  8. To bid, as a price, reward, or wages.

    Usage
    • Transitive
    Examples

    I offered twenty dollars for it. The company is offering a salary of £30,000 a year.

  9. To happen, to present itself.

    Usage
    • Intransitive
    Examples

    The occasion offers, and the youth complies.

    The opportunity however did not offer till next morning, for Phœbe did not come to bed till long after I was gone to ſleep:

    More examples (1)

    Much was I disappointed upon learning that the little packet for Nantucket had already sailed, and that no way of reaching that place would offer, till the following Monday.

  10. To make an attempt; typically used with at.

    Usage
    • Obsolete
    Examples

    I will not offer at that I cannot master.

    He would be offering at the shepherd's voice.

    More examples (2)

    [W]ithout offering at any other Remedy, without taking time to conſider the Conſequences, or to reflect on our own Condition, we haſtily engaged in a War which hath coſt us ſixty Millions; […]

    Here Jones, after expressing the utmost uneasiness, offered to stop her mouth:—“Hey-day! why sure, Mr Jones, you will let me speak; I speaks no scandal, for I only says what I heard from others […]

  11. To put in opposition to; to manifest in an offensive or defensive way; to threaten.

    Usage
    • Transitive
    Examples

    to offer violence to somebody

    The peasants offered no resistance as they were rounded up.

    More examples (2)

    A car turned the corner and stopped, and three or four people emerged and approached her, grabbing her purse. When she offered resistance, one of the assailants took out a knife and stabbed her in the lower abdomen and legs.

    The Viet Cong and NVA tended to offer battle only when they felt that they held a tactical advantage – if they didn't they usually hunkered down in their nearly invisible bunkers and let the Americans pass.

Noun

  1. the verbal act of offering

    Synonyms
    Broader terms
    Examples

    a generous offer of assistance

  2. something offered (as a proposal or bid)

    Synonyms
    Examples

    noteworthy new offerings for investors included several index funds

  3. a usually brief attempt

    Examples

    he took a crack at it

    I gave it a whirl

Verb

  1. give something useful or necessary to

    Broader terms
    Examples

    We provided the room with an electrical heater

    The conference center offers a health spa

    More examples (1)

    The hotel offers private meeting rooms

  2. present for acceptance or rejection

    Synonyms
    Broader terms
    Examples

    She offered us all a cold drink

  3. agree freely

    Synonyms
    Broader terms
    Examples

    She volunteered to drive the old lady home

    I offered to help with the dishes but the hostess would not hear of it

  4. put forward for consideration

    Broader terms
    Examples

    He offered his opinion

  5. offer verbally

    Synonyms
    Broader terms
    Examples

    extend my greetings

    He offered his sympathy

  6. make available for sale

    Broader terms
    Examples

    The stores are offering specials on sweaters this week

  7. propose a payment

    Synonyms
    Examples

    The Swiss dealer offered $2 million for the painting

  8. produce or introduce on the stage

    Examples

    The Shakespeare Company is offering ‘King Lear’ this month

  9. present as an act of worship

    Synonyms
    Broader terms
    Examples

    offer prayers to the gods

  10. mount or put up

    Broader terms
    Examples

    put up a good fight

    offer resistance

  11. make available; provide

    Synonyms
    Examples

    extend a loan

    The bank offers a good deal on new mortgages

  12. ask (someone) to marry you

    Broader terms
    Examples

    he popped the question on Sunday night

    she proposed marriage to the man she had known for only two months

    More examples (1)

    The old bachelor finally declared himself to the young woman

  13. threaten to do something

    Broader terms
    Examples

    I offered to leave the committee if they did not accept my proposal

Word forms
offersoffreoffaoffersofferingofferedoffered

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