tender
TEHN-duh
Tender (adjective) means Gentle, loving, or showing warm affection. Example: “Her grandfather's tender smile made the whole family feel safe and loved.”
adjective
1
Gentle, loving, or showing warm affection.
"Her grandfather's tender smile made the whole family feel safe and loved."
"He gave her a tender kiss on the forehead."
"She spoke to the frightened child in a tender voice."
2
Sore or sensitive when touched.
"My ankle is still tender, so I can't put much weight on it."
"The skin around the cut felt tender and a bit swollen."
"The bruise on her arm was still tender a week later."
3
Soft and easy to cut or chew, especially of meat.
"Cook the lamb gently for hours until it is tender enough to fall apart."
"These tender green beans need only a couple of minutes in boiling water."
"The steak was slow-cooked until perfectly tender."
noun
1
A formal offer or bid to supply goods or carry out work, especially for a contract.
"Several companies put in a tender to build the new school."
"The council will choose the best tender before the end of the month."
"The construction firm submitted a tender for the new hospital wing."
verb
1
To formally offer or submit something, such as a resignation or a bid.
"The contractor tendered a bid to repair the road outside the town hall."
"He tendered his apology to the whole team at the start of the meeting."
"She tendered her resignation after the disagreement with management."
How to use tender
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDepending on context: gentle and affectionate, sore to the touch, soft in texture, or a formal business offer/bid.
Common mistake
Legal tender means money that must be accepted as payment — it has nothing to do with gentleness or bids.
Common pairings
tender loving care
submit a tender
tender the resignation
legal tender
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Word forms
- Plural
- tenders
- Third person singular
- tenders
- Past tense
- tendered
- Comparative
- tenderer, more tender
- Superlative
- tenderest, most tender
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Her grandfather's _____ smile made the whole family feel safe and loved.
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.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for tender
See all rhymes for 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.
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