offer */*/*/

I UK [ˈɒfə(r)] / US [ˈɔfər] / US [ˈɑfər] verb
Word forms "offer":
present tense I/you/we/they offer he/she/it offers present participle offering past tense offered past participle offered

Ways of offering something to someone, and of accepting or refusing an offer:

Would you like...? → the most usual way of offering something to someone or inviting them to do something Do you want...? → a more informal way of offering something to someone Would you care for...? → a more formal way of asking someone if they would like something How would you like...?/What would you say to...? → used for offering someone something that you think they will enjoy Do you fancy...?/How about...? → an informal way of asking someone if they would like something Who wants...? → used for offering something to a group of people Can I get you...? → used especially when offering someone food or drink What will you have? → used when asking someone what they would like, especially in a restaurant, bar or café Yes, please/Thank you/Thanks (very much) → used as a polite way of accepting something that someone has offered you I'll have... → used to say what you would like to eat or drink, especially in a restaurant No, thank you/Thank you but…/No, thanks → used for politely refusing something that someone has offered you I couldn't → used for politely refusing food or drink that someone has offered you Not for me, thanks → an informal way of politely refusing food or drink that someone has offered you
Examples:
"Would you like a magazine to read while you're waiting?" "Thanks very much – that would be great." "Do you want another coffee?" "No thanks – I must be going." "Would you care for dessert, madam?" "Thank you, I'll have the apple pie, please." "What would you say to a nice hot chocolate before you go to bed?" "Yes, please!" "Do you fancy an ice cream?" "No, thank you. I'm on a diet." "Who wants the last piece of cake?" "I couldn't, thanks – I've already had two slices." "Can I get you anything? There's plenty of food in the fridge." "Thank you, but I ate before I came out." "It's my turn to get the drinks. What will you have?" "Thanks, I'll have a pint." "Would you like salad with your pizza?" "Not for me, thanks."

1) [transitive] to let someone know that you will give them something if they want it

offer someone something:

They haven't offered me the job yet.

offer something to someone:

He had offered cocaine to an undercover police officer.

a) [transitive] to say that you will pay a particular price for something

offer someone something for something:

I offered Jim £5,000 for his car.

offer something to someone:

Police are offering a reward to anyone with information about the crime.

b) [intransitive/transitive] to let someone know that you are willing to do something for them

Actually, Jen's giving me a lift home – but thanks for offering.

offer to do something:

I do think you should have offered to help.

2) [transitive] to provide something such as a product or service

The department offers a course on Medieval Philosophy each year.

Smaller hotels often offer greater comfort at lower prices.

offer someone something:

We'll be happy to offer you all the assistance we can.

have a lot to offer (= to have many attractive features):

The city has a lot to offer the business traveller.

3)

a) [transitive] to give someone something that you think they need or deserve

A lot of people have offered us very useful advice.

Susan still hasn't offered an explanation for her absence.

b) to express your feelings towards someone

offer sympathy/regrets/thanks

He called the team manager to offer his congratulations.

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- offer someone your hand

Phrasal verbs:

- offer up

II UK [ˈɒfə(r)] / US [ˈɔfər] / US [ˈɑfər] noun [countable]
Word forms "offer":
singular offer plural offers

1) a statement in which you offer to give someone something if they want it

offer of:

the government's offer of financial aid

accept/take an offer:

After thinking about it, I've decided to accept your offer.

turn down an offer (= refuse it):

I said they could use my car, but they turned down the offer.

a job offer:

I've had a few interviews, but no job offers yet.

a) a price that you say you will pay for something

We've accepted an offer of £250,000.

make someone an offer for/on something:

Did he make you an offer for the bike?

b) a statement in which you offer to do something

the city's offer to build a new stadium

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Collocations:
Verbs frequently used with offer as the object ▪  accept, consider, decline, make, receive, refuse, reject, take up, turn down, withdraw

2) a special price that is lower than the usual price for something

a half-price offer on all televisions

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- an offer someone can't refuse

- on offer

- under offer