# offer

/ˈɔfɝ/ (US) · /ˈɒfɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/offer
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to present something for acceptance

verb · CEFR A2

to ask if someone would like to have something or if they want you to do something.

For teachers: to present something to be either accepted or rejected; often used with a direct object or an infinitive clause.

- The hotel staff offered us a free drink while we waited for our room.
- The company offered the candidate a generous relocation package to encourage her to accept the position in the overseas branch.

### 2. to volunteer

verb · CEFR B1

to say that you are willing to do something for someone.

For teachers: to express a willingness to perform an action or provide a service. Intransitive or followed by a to-infinitive.

- My neighbour offered to water my plants while I was away on holiday.
- Several local businesses offered to sponsor the charity event, providing both financial support and volunteer staff for the weekend.

### 3. to provide or make available

verb · CEFR B1

to provide a chance, an opportunity, or a service.

For teachers: to provide or make available for use or consideration.

- The new city park offers many activities for children and families.
- The revised curriculum offers students the flexibility to specialise in digital media while maintaining a strong foundation in traditional art history.

### 4. religious sacrifice

verb · CEFR B2 · Formal

to give something to a god as a sign of respect or worship.

For teachers: to present something to a deity as an act of worship, devotion, or sacrifice.

- The villagers offered fruit and flowers at the temple during the festival.
- In many ancient cultures, priests would offer the first harvest to the gods to ensure continued prosperity for the community.

### 5. to align parts

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

to hold a part in place to see if it fits before fixing it.

For teachers: to place a component in its intended position to check for fit or alignment before final assembly.

- You should offer the shelf up to the wall to check the height before drilling.
- The technician carefully offered the replacement panel up to the fuselage to ensure the bolt holes aligned perfectly with the existing frame.

Usage: Often used with the particle 'up' as in 'offer up'.

### 6. a proposal or bid

noun · CEFR A2

a suggestion or a price that you are willing to pay for something.

For teachers: an expression of readiness to do or give something; specifically, a bid or a proposal in a commercial or personal context.

- We made an offer on the house, but the owners wanted more money.
- After weeks of negotiation, the firm submitted a formal offer to acquire its smaller competitor for fifty million dollars.

### 7. legal invitation

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a formal promise to enter a contract if the other person agrees.

For teachers: a clear expression of willingness to enter into a binding contract under specific terms, which becomes legally enforceable upon acceptance.

- The court ruled that the advertisement was not a legal offer but an invitation to treat.
- A valid offer must be communicated clearly to the offeree and contain sufficiently definite terms to create a binding agreement.

## Examples

- I accepted her offer to help with the heavy boxes.
- The company made a generous job offer that included a higher salary and more vacation days.
- After weeks of negotiation, the firm submitted a formal offer to purchase the competitor's assets, pending a final review of their financial records.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.