tender
8 synonyms and 0 antonyms for tender, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Gentle, loving, or showing warm affection.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use tender
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
The "soft, gentle" sense comes from Latin tener ("soft, delicate") via Old French tendre. The "offer, bid" sense is a separate word from Old French tendre ("to stretch out, offer"), from Latin tendere.
Full origin of tender →Frequently asked questions
What does “tender” mean?
The word “tender” means gentle, loving, or showing warm affection. In plain terms, depending on context: gentle and affectionate, sore to the touch, soft in texture, or a formal business offer/bid.
How do you pronounce “tender”?
“Tender” is pronounced TEHN-duh (/ˈtɛn.dɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “tender” in a sentence?
Here is “tender” used in a sentence: “He gave her a tender kiss on the forehead.”
What is another word for “tender”?
Words with a similar meaning to “tender” include nesh and offer.
What part of speech is “tender”?
Depending on how it is used, “tender” can be an adjective, a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “tender” come from?
The word “tender” comes from Latin. The "soft, gentle" sense comes from Latin tener ("soft, delicate") via Old French tendre. The "offer, bid" sense is a separate word from Old French tendre ("to stretch out, offer"), from Latin tendere.
Is “tender” a common word?
“Tender” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “tender” have?
“Tender” has 5 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: gentle, loving, or showing warm affection.
What is the difference between tender and gentle?
Gentle describes a mild, careful manner or touch, while tender adds warmth and affection — tender words or a tender look express love, not just mildness. Tender also has meanings gentle lacks: sore when touched, soft and easy to chew (of meat), and a formal bid for a contract.