offer Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the verbal act of offering
    offering.
    • a generous offer of assistance
  2. noun something offered (as a proposal or bid)
    offering.
    • noteworthy new offerings for investors included several index funds
  3. noun a usually brief attempt
    whirl; crack; fling; pass; go.
    • he took a crack at it
    • I gave it a whirl
  4. verb make available or accessible, provide or furnish
    • The conference center offers a health spa
    • The hotel offers private meeting rooms
  5. verb present for acceptance or rejection
    proffer.
    • She offered us all a cold drink
  6. verb agree freely
    volunteer.
    • She volunteered to drive the old lady home
    • I offered to help with the dishes but the hostess would not hear of it
  7. verb put forward for consideration
    • He offered his opinion
  8. verb offer verbally
    extend.
    • extend my greetings
    • He offered his sympathy
  9. verb make available for sale
    • The stores are offering specials on sweaters this week
  10. verb propose a payment
    tender; bid.
    • The Swiss dealer offered $2 million for the painting
  11. verb produce or introduce on the stage
    • The Shakespeare Company is offering `King Lear' this month
  12. verb present as an act of worship
    offer up.
    • offer prayers to the gods
  13. verb mount or put up
    provide; put up.
    • put up a good fight
    • offer resistance
  14. verb make available; provide
    extend.
    • extend a loan
    • The bank offers a good deal on new mortgages
  15. verb ask (someone) to marry you
    pop the question; propose; declare oneself.
    • he popped the question on Sunday night
    • she proposed marriage to the man she had known for only two months
    • The old bachelor finally declared himself to the young woman
  16. verb threaten to do something
    • I offered to leave the committee if they did not accept my proposal

WordNet

Of"fer transitive verb
Etymology
OE. offren, AS. offrian to sacrifice, fr. L. offerre; ob (see OB-) + ferre to bear, bring. The English word was influenced by F. offrir to offer, of the same origin. See 1st Bear.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Offered ; present participle & verbal noun Offering
Definitions
  1. To present, as an act of worship; to immolate; to sacrifice; to present in prayer or devotion; -- often with up.
    Thou shalt offer every day a bullock for a sin offering for atonement. Ex. xxix. 36.
    A holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices. 1 Pet. ii. 5.
  2. To bring to or before; to hold out to; to present for acceptance or rejection; as, to offer a present, or a bribe; to offer one's self in marriage.
    I offer thee three things. 2 Sam. xxiv. 12.
  3. To present in words; to proffer; to make a proposal of; to suggest; as, to offer an opinion. With the infinitive as an objective: To make an offer; to declare one's willingness; as, he offered to help me.
  4. To attempt; to undertake.
    All that offer to defend him. Shak.
  5. To bid, as a price, reward, or wages; as, to offer a guinea for a ring; to offer a salary or reward.
  6. To put in opposition to; to manifest in an offensive way; to threaten; as, to offer violence, attack, etc. Syn. -- To propose; propound; move; proffer; tender; sacrifice; immolate.
Of"fer intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To present itself; to be at hand.
    The occasion offers, and the youth complies. Dryden.
  2. To make an attempt; to make an essay or a trial; -- used with at. "Without offering at any other remedy." Swift.
    He would be offering at the shepherd's voice. L'Estrange.
    I will not offer at that I can not master. Bacon.
Of"fer noun
Etymology
Cf. F. offre, fr. offrir to offer, fr. L. offerre. See Offer, v. t.
Definitions
  1. The act of offering, bringing forward, proposing, or bidding; a proffer; a first advance. "This offer comes from mercy." Shak.
  2. That which is offered or brought forward; a proposal to be accepted or rejected; a sum offered; a bid.
    When offers are disdained, and love denied. Pope.
  3. Attempt; endeavor; essay; as, he made an offer to catch the ball. "Some offer and attempt." South.

Webster 1913