offer

1 of 2

verb

of·​fer ˈȯ-fər How to pronounce offer (audio)
ˈä-
offered; offering ˈȯ-f(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce offer (audio)
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 recoveryF. 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
b
: an action or movement indicating a purpose or intention
Phrases
on offer
chiefly British : being offered especially for sale

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
These stunning spots are easily accessible by bus or ferry and offer a great example of the beauty of Nova Scotia. Kaitlyn McInnis, Forbes, 26 Oct. 2024 Both family members of the Marine had shared with the Washington Examiner earlier this week that elected officials within the U.S. government had not reached out to them to offer condolences or discuss what to expect as far as the investigation. Anna Giaritelli, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 26 Oct. 2024
Noun
Eventually, the temporary stint led to an offer to rejoin the editorial board permanently. Karin Klein, The Hollywood Reporter, 27 Oct. 2024 Ultimately, Cuban teamed up with Greiner and Herjavec to offer van Meer his $250,000 in exchange for 8% of the company — double the equity from van Meer’s initial offer. Alex Koller, CNBC, 26 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for offer 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'offer.' 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 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

Time Traveler
The first known use of offer was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near offer

Cite this Entry

“Offer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/offer. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

offer

1 of 2 verb
of·​fer ˈȯf-ər How to pronounce offer (audio)
ˈäf-
offered; offering -(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce offer (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on offer

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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