Offer — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ˈȯ-fər/ of·fer

Meaning & Definition of Offer

Offer (verb)

  1. to present as an act of worship or devotion, sacrifice
  2. to utter (something, such as a prayer) in devotion
  3. to present for acceptance or rejection, tender

Offer (noun)

  1. a presenting of something for acceptance
  2. 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
  3. offering

Offer (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to put before another for acceptance or consideration

    "I offered my boss an alternative to the original plan, which would have required me to work overtime"

    similar: extend, give, proffer, tender, trot out, run by
    related: pose, propose, hold out, give in, submit, volunteer
    near: accept, receive, take, accredit, approbate, approve, authorize, clear, confirm, finalize, formalize, homologate, OK, ratify, sanction, warrant, decline, deny, disallow, disapprove, negative, reject, turn down, veto, rebuff, rebut, refuse, spurn, retract, withdraw, disregard, ignore, neglect, overlook

  2. to set before the mind for consideration

    "offered the idea of a vacation at a beach resort in the Caribbean"

    similar: advance, bounce, pose, proffer, propose, propound, suggest, vote, put forth, put forward
    related: move, nominate, recommend, present, submit, tender, trot out, file, lay, lodge, arrange, calculate, chart, contrive, cover, frame, map, plan, plot, shape

  3. to bring before the public in performance or exhibition

    "a summer theater offering a full schedule of musicals to the vacationing public"

    similar: carry, give, mount, present, stage, come out with
    related: display, exhibit, expose, parade, show, show off, unveil, preview, act, impersonate, perform, play, portray, depict, dramatize, enact, render, represent, extend, proffer, tender

  4. to give up as an offering to a god

    "when fruits, flowers, or crops are offered, the offering is known as a bloodless sacrifice"

    similar: immolate, sacrifice
    related: consecrate, dedicate, devote, give, hand over, surrender, yield

Offer (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. an effort to do or accomplish something

    "made the usual halfhearted offer to grab the check before his dinner companion could"

    similar: assay (archaic), attempt, bash (chiefly British), bid, crack, endeavor, essay, fling, go, pass, shot, stab, trial, try, whack, whirl
    related: striving, struggle, throes, undertaking, trial and error

  2. something which is presented for consideration

    "a job offer that I couldn't refuse"

    similar: proffer, proposal, proposition, suggestion
    related: counteroffer, counterproposal, countersuggestion, feeler, overture, motion, advancement, nomination, recommendation, bid, presentation, submission, submittal, tender, arrangement, game, ground plan, layout, line, plan, plot, project, strategy, system, conception, idea, notion, theory, thought

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Offer

The most common words with a similar meaning to Offer:

Archaic: assay
Chiefly British: bash
extend, give, proffer, tender, trot out, advance, bounce, pose, propose, propound, suggest, vote, carry, mount, present, stage, immolate, sacrifice, run by, put forth, put forward, come out with, attempt, bid, crack, endeavor, essay, fling, go, pass, shot, stab, trial, try, whack, whirl, proposal, proposition, suggestion

Related Words for Offer

hold out, give in, submit, volunteer, move, nominate, recommend, file, lay, lodge, arrange, calculate, chart, contrive, cover, frame, map, plan, plot, shape, display, exhibit, expose, parade, show, show off, unveil, preview, act, impersonate

Near Antonyms of Offer

accept, receive, take, accredit, approbate, approve, authorize, clear, confirm, finalize, formalize, homologate, OK, ratify, sanction, warrant, decline, deny, disallow, disapprove, negative, reject, turn down, veto, rebuff, rebut, refuse, spurn, retract, withdraw

Word Forms of Offer

Inflections: offered, offering

Origin & Etymology 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 bear

First known use: before 12th centuryt

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Offer

Words & Phrases Containing Offer

offer no apology for, offer resistance, on offer, tender offer, make an offer, on special offer

Frequently Asked Questions about Offer

What does "Offer" mean?

"Offer" means to present as an act of worship or devotion, sacrifice. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to present as an act of worship or devotion, sacrifice. It has 6 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Offer"?

Other words for "Offer" include extend, give, proffer, tender, trot out, advance, bounce and pose. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Offer" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Offer"?

There are 115 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Offer". Common alternatives include extend, give, proffer, tender, trot out, advance, bounce, pose, propose and propound.

How do you use "Offer" in a sentence?

Examples of "Offer" in a sentence: "I offered my boss an alternative to the original plan, which would have required me to work overtime"; "offered the idea of a vacation at a beach resort in the Caribbean"; "a summer theater offering a full schedule of musicals to the vacationing public".

Is "Offer" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Offer" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Offer" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A2-level word, "Offer" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+.

How do you pronounce "Offer"?

"Offer" is pronounced /ˈȯ-fər/ and divided into syllables as of·fer.

What is the origin of the word "Offer"?

"Offer" comes from 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 bear. First known use: before 12th centuryt.