Definition

1. Verb:

   • To present or proffer something for someone to accept or reject: To hold something out or make it available to another person, who may then choose to take it or not.
   • To express willingness or readiness to do something: To state that one is prepared to perform an action or provide a service.
   • To propose or suggest something for consideration: To put forward an idea, plan, or amount of money as a suggestion.
   • To make available or provide something: To have something available for use, purchase, or participation.

2. Noun:

   • An act of presenting something for acceptance: The action of holding something out or making it available.
   • A proposal or bid, especially one involving a price: A statement of terms, especially a price one is willing to pay or accept.
   • A proposal of marriage: A formal request for someone to marry you.

Examples of Usage

• Verb:

  • She offered me a cup of tea. (She presented the tea for me to accept.)
  • He offered to carry her bags. (He expressed his willingness to carry them.)
  • The company offered a new plan to the board. (The company proposed a new plan.)
  • This university offers degrees in engineering. (This university provides engineering degrees.)

• Noun:

  • Thank you for your kind offer of help. (Thank you for your act of presenting help.)
  • We have received a very good offer on the house. (We have received a proposal to buy the house at a good price.)
  • He made her an offer of marriage. (He proposed to her.)

Advanced Usage

• "On offer": Available for purchase or participation.

  • There are many courses on offer this semester. (Many courses are available this semester.)

• "To offer one's condolences": To express sympathy formally.

  • He offered his condolences to the family. (He expressed his sympathy to them.)

• "To offer resistance": To fight back or oppose.

  • The troops offered fierce resistance. (The troops fought back fiercely.)

Variants and Related Words

• Offering (n): Something that is offered, especially as a gift or contribution.

  • They made a charitable offering. (They gave a charitable donation.)

• Offeror (n): A person or entity that makes an offer.

  • The offeror must wait for a response. (The person who made the offer must wait.)

Synonyms

• Propose: To put forward for consideration.
• Present: To give or provide formally.
• Volunteer: To offer one's services freely.
• Extend: To hold out or make accessible.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Offer up: To present something, especially in a ritual or formal context.
  • The priest offered up a prayer. (The priest presented a prayer.)

Related Idioms

• "To have something to offer": To possess qualities, skills, or benefits that are valuable.

  • This candidate has a lot to offer our team. (This candidate has many valuable skills for our team.)

• "An offer one can't refuse": A proposal that is extremely advantageous or comes with severe consequences for refusal.

  • They made him an offer he couldn't refuse. (They made him a proposal he had to accept.)

Noun

1. a usually brief attempt
   • he took a crack at it
   • I gave it a whirl
2. something offered (as a proposal or bid)
   • noteworthy new offerings for investors included several index funds
3. the verbal act of offering
   • a generous offer of assistance

Verb

1. threaten to do something
   • I offered to leave the committee if they did not accept my proposal
2. ask (someone) to marry you
   • 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
3. make available; provide
   • extend a loan
   • The bank offers a good deal on new mortgages
4. mount or put up
   • put up a good fight
   • offer resistance
5. present as an act of worship
   • offer prayers to the gods
6. produce or introduce on the stage
   • The Shakespeare Company is offering `King Lear' this month
7. propose a payment
   • The Swiss dealer offered $2 million for the painting
8. make available for sale
   • The stores are offering specials on sweaters this week
9. offer verbally
   • extend my greetings
   • He offered his sympathy
10. put forward for consideration
    • He offered his opinion
11. agree freely
    • She volunteered to drive the old lady home
    • I offered to help with the dishes but the hostess would not hear of it
12. present for acceptance or rejection
    • She offered us all a cold drink
13. make available or accessible, provide or furnish
    • The conference center offers a health spa
    • The hotel offers private meeting rooms