I. of ‧ fer 1 S1 W1 /ˈɒfə $ ˈɒːfər, ˈɑː-/ BrE AmE verb
[ Date: 1200-1300 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: offrir , from Latin offerre , from ferre 'to carry' ]
1 . [transitive] to ask someone if they would like to have something, or to hold something out to them so that they can take it
offer somebody something
Can I offer you something to drink?
They offered him a very good job, but he turned it down.
offer something to somebody
Maureen lit a cigarette and offered one to Lucy.
The drama school offers places to students who can show talent.
2 . [intransitive and transitive] to say that you are willing to do something:
I don’t need any help, but it was nice of you to offer.
offer to do something
My dad has offered to pick us up.
The newspaper offered to apologise for the article.
3 . [transitive] to provide something that people need or want
offer advice/help/support etc
Your doctor should be able to offer advice on diet.
offer an opportunity/chance/possibility
The course offers the opportunity to specialize in the final year.
A number of groups offer their services free of charge.
The Centre offers a wide range of sports facilities.
offer something to somebody
I did what I could to offer comfort to the family.
4 . have something to offer (somebody) to have qualities, opportunities etc that people are likely to want or enjoy:
Canada has much to offer in terms of location and climate.
He felt he had nothing to offer her that she wanted.
5 . [transitive] to say that you are willing to pay a particular amount of money for something
offer (somebody) something for something
They’ve offered us £75,000 for the house.
The police are offering a reward for any information.
6 . offer (up) a prayer/sacrifice etc to pray to God or give something to God
7 . offer itself formal if an opportunity to do something offers itself, it becomes available to you:
I’ll raise the subject when a suitable occasion offers itself.
8 . offer your hand (to somebody) to hold out your hand in order to shake hands with someone
II. offer 2 S2 W1 BrE AmE noun [countable]
1 . a statement saying that you are willing to do something for someone or give them something
offer of
I can’t turn down the offer of a free trip to Milan!
offer to do something
His offer to resign will be accepted.
2 . an amount of money that you are willing to pay for something:
Will you accept their offer?
make (somebody) an offer (for/on something) (=offer a particular amount of money for something)
Within 20 minutes they were prepared to make us an offer.
The company made an offer of $5 million for the site.
a generous/good offer
‘I’ll be interested if Newcastle make me a good offer,’ said the 25-year-old striker.
be open to offers (=be ready to consider people’s offers and lower your original price)
We’re asking £2,500, but we’re open to offers.
⇨ ↑ o.n.o.
3 . a reduction of the price of something in a shop for a short time ⇨ discount :
All special offers advertised in this brochure are subject to availability.
offer on
There’s a free offer on orders over £45.
To take advantage of this offer (=buy something at the reduced price) , complete the attached forms.
4 . on offer
a) available to be bought, chosen, or used:
Activities on offer include sailing, rowing, and canoeing.
I was impressed with the designs on offer.
b) British English for sale for a short time at a cheaper price than usual:
Lean minced beef is on offer this week.
5 . under offer British English if a house that is for sale is under offer, someone has offered to buy it for a particular price
• • •
COLLOCATIONS
■ verbs
▪ accept an offer (=say yes to it)
Are you going to accept their offer?
▪ take up an offer/take somebody up on their offer British English (=accept someone's offer)
I might take him up on his offer.
▪ turn down/refuse/reject/decline an offer (=say no to it)
She declined the offer of a lift.
▪ get/receive an offer
He received the offer of a place at Cambridge University.
▪ withdraw an offer
They suddenly withdrew their offer at the last minute.
■ ADJECTIVES/NOUN + offer
▪ a job offer
I still did not have a formal job offer.
▪ a kind/generous offer
We are grateful for your kind offer.
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They were surprised by his generous offer to let them stay at his place.
■ phrases
▪ an offer of help/support/friendship etc
Any offers of help would be appreciated.
▪ I appreciate your offer (=I am grateful for it - used especially when politely refusing someone's offer)
I appreciate your offer, but I don’t need any help.