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offer

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verb

/ˈɒfə(r)/

present tense
I/you/we/they	offer
he/she/it	offers
present participle	offering
past tense	offered
past participle	offered

Other entries for this word

Related dictionary definitions

Expressing yourself

1
[transitive] to let someone know that you will give them something if they want it
offer someone something:
They haven't offered me the job yet.
offer something to someone:
He had offered cocaine to an undercover police officer.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of offer
1. a.
  [transitive] to say that you will pay a particular price for something
  offer someone something for something:
  I offered Jim £5,000 for his car.
  offer something to someone:
  Police are offering a reward to anyone with information about the crime.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of offer
2. b.
  [intransitive/transitive] to let someone know that you are willing to do something for them
  Actually, Jen's giving me a lift home – but thanks for offering.
  offer to do something:
  I do think you should have offered to help.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of offer
2
[transitive] to provide something such as a product or service
The department offers a course on Medieval Philosophy each year.
Smaller hotels often offer greater comfort at lower prices.
offer someone something:
We'll be happy to offer you all the assistance we can.
have a lot to offer (=to have many attractive features):
The city has a lot to offer the business traveller.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of offer
3
[transitive] to give someone something that you think they need or deserve
A lot of people have offered us very useful advice.
Susan still hasn't offered an explanation for her absence.
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of offer
1. a.
  to express your feelings towards someone
  offer sympathy/regrets/thanks
  He called the team manager to offer his congratulations.
  Thesaurus entry for this meaning of offer

phrase

offer someone your hand
to hold out your hand in order to shake hands with someone
Thesaurus entry for this meaning of offer

phrasal verbs

offer up

Expressing yourself: offer

Ways of offering something to someone, and of accepting or refusing an offer

Would you like...?	the most usual way of offering something to someone or inviting them to do something
Do you want...?	a more informal way of offering something to someone
Would you care for...?	a more formal way of asking someone if they would like something
How would you like...?/What would you say to...?	used for offering someone something that you think they will enjoy
Do you fancy...?/How about...?	an informal way of asking someone if they would like something
Who wants...?	used for offering something to a group of people
Can I get you...?	used especially when offering someone food or drink
What will you have?	used when asking someone what they would like, especially in a restaurant, bar or café
Yes, please/Thank you/Thanks (very much)	used as a polite way of accepting something that someone has offered you
I'll have...	used to say what you would like to eat or drink, especially in a restaurant
No, thank you/Thank you but…/No, thanks	used for politely refusing something that someone has offered you
I couldn't	used for politely refusing food or drink that someone has offered you
Not for me, thanks	an informal way of politely refusing food or drink that someone has offered you

Examples:

'Would you like a magazine to read while you're waiting?' 'Thanks very much – that would be great.'

'Do you want another coffee?' 'No thanks – I must be going.'

'Would you care for dessert, madam?' 'Thank you, I'll have the apple pie, please.'

'What would you say to a nice hot chocolate before you go to bed?' 'Yes, please!'

'Do you fancy an ice cream?' 'No, thank you. I'm on a diet.'

'Who wants the last piece of cake?' 'I couldn't, thanks – I've already had two slices.'

'Can I get you anything? There's plenty of food in the fridge.' 'Thank you, but I ate before I came out.'

'It's my turn to get the drinks. What will you have?' 'Thanks, I'll have a pint.'

'Would you like salad with your pizza?' 'Not for me, thanks.'

This is the British English definition of offer. View American English definition of offer.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to American English.

View the pronunciation for offer.

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