offer

The word “offer” means to present something for someone to accept or refuse. In plain terms, to put something forward for someone to take or turn down, or the proposal itself.

“Offer” is pronounced O-fuh (/ˈɔfɚ/ in IPA).

Here is “offer” used in a sentence: “She offered him a cup of coffee.”

Depending on how it is used, “offer” can be a verb and a noun.

The word “offer” comes from Latin. From Old English offrian, "to offer or make a sacrifice", from Latin offerre, "to present, bring before".

“Offer” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

“Offer” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to present something for someone to accept or refuse.

To give is to hand something over so the person now has it. To offer is only to present it, leaving the other person free to accept or refuse. If you offer a colleague coffee, they may say no; if you give them coffee, they already have it. Offering invites a choice; giving completes the transfer.

Holding out a plate of biscuits and saying "would you like one?" is offering. So is proposing a lower price to a seller, volunteering to help a neighbour, or presenting a job to a candidate. In each case you present something — an object, a price, help, or an opportunity — for the other person to accept or decline.

As a verb, "offer" is the action of presenting something for acceptance ("they offered me the job"). As a noun, an "offer" is the thing presented — the proposal itself ("I accepted their offer"). The verb is what you do; the noun is what results, such as a job offer or a special offer.