verb

proffer

PRO-fuh

verb

To offer something for someone to accept.

"He proffered his hand in a gesture of peace."

"The company proffered a modest settlement rather than go to trial."

noun

Something offered; an offer or proposal.

"She turned down his proffer of help."

How to Use Proffer

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA slightly formal or old-fashioned way of saying "offer."

When to use it

Fairly formal and often used in legal or literary contexts rather than everyday speech.

Easily confused with

prefer → offer →

Common pairings

proffer an apology proffer advice proffer a hand

proffered past tense, proffers plural, Proffers plural, proffers singular

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Can you complete this real example?

He _____ his hand in a gesture of peace.

From Old French poroffrir/proffrir, ultimately from Latin offerre, "to offer" — a distant cousin of the modern word "offer."

offer