proffered; proffering
ˈprä-f(ə-)riŋ 
US law
: to offer to take part in a proffer session
decided that an indictment was unlikely and there was no reason to proffer
1
: offer, suggestion
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
Katie Kitamura, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2025
Harvey incorporates a current ad poster in which Bert Lahr’s devil proffers a bag of Lay’s potato chips, but nothing may be more allegorical than snaky Lula’s endless supply of apples.
—J. Hoberman, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2025
Michael Saponara, Billboard, 6 Mar. 2025
According to a factual proffer reflecting the prosecution’s case, the two unnamed U.S. soldiers were hanging out at the Colombian Pub, a sports bar in the upscale Zona T area, at about 11 p.m. on March 5, 2020.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for proffer
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Verb
Their writer proffers a clutch of rapidly shifting monikers: from Joachima Abramović to Gina Pane to Lynn Hershman.
—Katie Kitamura, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2025
Harvey incorporates a current ad poster in which Bert Lahr’s devil proffers a bag of Lay’s potato chips, but nothing may be more allegorical than snaky Lula’s endless supply of apples.
—J. Hoberman, New York Times, 12 Feb. 2025
Noun
However, back in 2008, Davis allegedly agreed to a proffer agreement with authorities connected to an L.A. task force, which would have granted him immunity from being prosecuted in the case.
—Michael Saponara, Billboard, 6 Mar. 2025
According to a factual proffer reflecting the prosecution’s case, the two unnamed U.S. soldiers were hanging out at the Colombian Pub, a sports bar in the upscale Zona T area, at about 11 p.m. on March 5, 2020.
—Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 6 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for proffer
Cite this Entry
“Proffer.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/proffer. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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