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REFERENCE

tender

adj. · n. · v.
US //ˈtɛndɝ// UK //tˈɛndɐ// ten·der
  1. 1 gentle and kind (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    showing gentleness, kindness, or love.

    expressing or characterized by gentleness, affection, or sentimental solicitude.

    Example

    He gave his daughter a tender hug before she went to school.

    Example

    The letter was written in a tender tone, reflecting the deep affection the two friends had shared over several decades.
  2. 2 easy to chew (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate Cooking

    soft and easy to cut or eat, especially meat.

    of food, easily chewed or cut; not tough or fibrous.

    Example

    The steak was so tender that you could cut it with a butter knife.

    Example

    Slow-cooking the brisket at a low temperature for eight hours ensures the muscle fibres break down until the meat is perfectly tender.
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  1. 3 painful to touch (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Medicine

    feeling sore or painful when someone touches it.

    sensitive to touch or pressure, typically due to injury or inflammation.

    Example

    My ankle is still a bit tender after I tripped yesterday.

    Example

    The patient reported that the area around the incision remained tender, though the sharp pain had subsided since the surgery.
  2. 4 a formal bid (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Law

    a formal offer to do a job or provide goods for a specific price.

    a formal written offer to carry out work, supply goods, or buy an asset at a stated price.

    Example

    The city council invited companies to submit a tender for the new bridge project.

    Example

    The construction firm spent weeks preparing their tender, ensuring every technical specification and cost estimate met the government's strict requirements.
  3. 5 payment (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Technical Law

    something used as money or a way to pay.

    anything offered as a means of payment; most commonly seen in the phrase 'legal tender'.

    Example

    In many countries, coins and banknotes are the only form of legal tender.

    Example

    The shop refused to accept the damaged banknote, arguing that it no longer qualified as valid legal tender under national regulations.
  4. 6 a small boat (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Nautical

    a small boat that carries people or supplies between a big ship and the shore.

    a small vessel used to attend a larger one, typically for transporting stores or passengers.

    Example

    The cruise ship was too big for the small harbour, so we took a tender to the beach.

    Example

    The yacht's tender was deployed to ferry the guests from the offshore anchorage to the private jetty for the evening gala.
  5. 7 to offer formally (v.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    to offer something officially, like your resignation or a payment.

    to offer or present something formally for acceptance. Transitive; typically takes a direct object like 'resignation' or 'payment'.

    Example

    The manager decided to tender his resignation after the company was sold.

    Example

    The defendant attempted to tender the full amount of the debt to the court, hoping to avoid further litigation costs.
Etymology 1

From Middle English tender, tendere, from Anglo-Norman tender, Old French tendre, from Latin tener, tenerum (“soft, delicate”).

Etymology 2

From Middle English tender, tendur, tendir, tendre, from the adjective (see above).

Etymology 3

From Middle English tendren, from the adjective (see above).

Etymology 4

From tend + -er. Compare attender (“one who attends”).

Etymology 5

From Middle English tendren, from Old French tendre (“stretch out”).

Word family

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