What does "offer" mean?
A proposal that has been made.
Offer
/ˈɒfə(ɹ)/ name, noun, verb
name, noun, verb ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A proposal that has been made.
- Grammar: offer is listed as name, noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: accommodation, accord, accordance, address.
- Useful contrasts: exacting, online help, bereaving.
- Usage evidence: You should carry out his offer.
How to use "offer"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "offer" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "offer" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "offer" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "offer" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "offer" is acting as name, noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "accommodation" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "offer", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A proposal that has been made.
"What's in his offer?"
- 2 agent noun of off agent, form-of
"Once you finally discover yourself a dismember-er, a de-limber, a fucking head-cutter-offer, the most simple of tasks — enjoying a long walk outside, seeing a movie, conversing with a stranger in the library — all become prized and over-inflated moments of elation."
- 3 a usually brief attempt wordnet
- 4 Something put forth, bid, proffered or tendered.
"His offer was $3.50 per share."
- 5 something offered (as a proposal or bid) wordnet
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 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.
"His first letter was not a real offer, but an attempt to determine interest."
- 7 the verbal act of offering wordnet
Verb
- 1 To propose or express one's willingness (to do something). intransitive
"She offered to help with her homework."
- 2 put forward for consideration wordnet
- 3 To present in words; to proffer; to make a proposal of; to suggest. transitive
"Everybody offered an opinion."
- 4 threaten to do something wordnet
- 5 To place at someone’s disposal; to present (something) to be either accepted or turned down. transitive
"He offered use of his car for the week."
Show 19 more definitions
- 6 ask (someone) to marry you wordnet
- 7 To place at someone’s disposal; to present (something) to be either accepted or turned down.; To present (something) for sale. transitive
- 8 produce or introduce on the stage wordnet
- 9 To present (something) to God or gods, as a gesture of worship or as a sacrifice. transitive
"Thou shalt offer every day a bullock for a sin offering for atonement."
- 10 present for acceptance or rejection wordnet
- 11 To present (something) to the sight etc.; to provide for use, consideration etc. transitive
"The city offers beautiful architecture."
- 12 make available for sale wordnet
- 13 To place (something) in a position where it can be added to an existing mechanical assembly. transitive
"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."
- 14 offer verbally wordnet
- 15 To bid, as a price, reward, or wages. transitive
"I offered twenty dollars for it. The company is offering a salary of £30,000 a year."
- 16 make available; provide wordnet
- 17 To happen, to present itself. intransitive
"The occasion offers, and the youth complies."
- 18 propose a payment wordnet
- 19 To make an attempt; typically used with at. obsolete
"I will not offer at that I cannot master."
- 20 give something useful or necessary to wordnet
- 21 To put in opposition to; to manifest in an offensive or defensive way; to threaten. transitive
"to offer violence to somebody"
- 22 mount or put up wordnet
- 23 agree freely wordnet
- 24 present as an act of worship wordnet
Proper Noun
- 1 A surname.
Example
"You should carry out his offer."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "offer"?
Common synonyms include: accommodation, accord, accordance, address, adduce, adduced.
How do you use "offer" in a sentence?
You should carry out his offer.
How do you pronounce "offer"?
Pronounced /ˈɒfə(ɹ)/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English offer, from Old English offrian (“offer or make a sacrifice”) rather than from Old French offre (“offer”), from offrir (“to offer”), from Latin offerō (“to present, bring before”). Compare North Frisian offer (“sacrifice, donation, fee”), Dutch offer (“offering, sacrifice”), German Opfer (“victim, sacrifice”), Danish offer (“victim, sacrifice”), Icelandic offr (“offering”). See verb below.
Etymology 2
From Middle English offren, offrien. In the religious senses inherited from Old English offrian (“to offer, sacrifice, bring an oblation”); otherwise from Old French ofrir. Both ultimately from Latin offerō (“to present, bestow, bring before”, literally “to bring to”), from Latin ob + ferō (“bring, carry”), from Proto-Indo-European *bʰer- (“to carry, bear”), later reinforced by Old French offrir (“to offer”). Cognate with Old Frisian offria (“to offer”), Old Dutch offrōn (“to offer”), German opfern (“to offer”), Old Norse offra (“to offer”). More at ob-, bear.
Etymology 3
From off + -er.
Etymology 4
Occupational surname for a goldsmith, from Norman orfrer (“goldsmith”); compare French orfèvre (“goldsmith”). Also borrowed from German Offer.