Offer Meaning
Offer Definition & Usage
To present or provide something for someone to accept or reject.
Examples
- "She offered him a cup of tea when he arrived."
- "The company offered her a job with a generous salary."
- "He offered to help with the heavy lifting."
- "They offered a special discount to loyal customers."
- "I offered my opinion, but it wasn't well received."
To propose a price, deal, or service in a commercial context.
Examples
- "The real estate agent offered a competitive price for the house."
- "She offered a discount for bulk purchases."
- "They offered a solution to the client's problem during the meeting."
- "The bank offered a loan with favorable terms."
- "The manager offered a new deal to secure the contract."
An expression of willingness to do something for someone or present something to them.
Examples
- "Her offer to help was greatly appreciated."
- "The company made a generous offer to the employees."
- "He accepted their offer to stay in their home during his visit."
- "The store's offer of a free gift with purchase was tempting."
- "She turned down the offer to join the team."
A proposal or proposition presented for acceptance or rejection in a negotiation.
Examples
- "The seller made an offer that was too good to refuse."
- "We are still considering their offer for the contract."
- "Her offer was rejected because the price was too high."
- "The company accepted our counteroffer, and the deal was sealed."
- "The bank's offer of a low interest rate was attractive."
Cultural Context
The word 'offer' has been in use since Old French 'offrir' and Latin 'offerre,' meaning to present or bring something to someone. It has expanded in meaning to cover a wide range of social, business, and legal contexts.
The Business Offer
Story
The Business Offer
Alice sat in the conference room, nervously clutching her notepad as the CEO, Mr. Henderson, laid out the offer. She had been working at the company for years, but today was different. Today, she would be presented with a career-changing decision. "Alice, we're offering you the position of Vice President of Marketing," Mr. Henderson began, his voice calm but firm. "With a significant salary increase and benefits. The offer is on the table, and we'd like your answer by the end of the week." Alice felt a wave of excitement mixed with anxiety. She had been hoping for this moment, but now that it was here, doubt crept in. Was she ready for the responsibility? Would the extra workload affect her personal life? Before she could respond, her colleague, John, walked into the room. "Did I hear correctly? You’re offering Alice the promotion?" he asked, eyes wide with disbelief. "Wow, that's incredible!" Alice smiled but was distracted by the weight of the decision. "I'm not sure yet," she admitted, her mind racing. "I need time to think about it." Later that day, as she sat with her best friend Sarah at a nearby café, Alice received an unexpected offer. Sarah, who worked in a completely different industry, casually mentioned, "By the way, my company is looking for someone with your skill set. I can offer you an introduction if you're interested." Alice couldn't believe it. In a matter of hours, she had received two completely different offers. One was a dream promotion, but the other was a tempting opportunity to switch careers. At home that night, Alice pondered her options. The offer from Mr. Henderson felt secure, but Sarah’s offer was alluring in its own right. She knew this decision would shape her future, and whatever she chose, it would be an offer she couldn’t take lightly. The next morning, Alice made her decision. She declined Sarah’s offer, feeling that now was not the right time for a career change. She walked into the office and accepted Mr. Henderson’s offer with a firm handshake, confident in the direction she had chosen. The story of Alice’s decision highlights how the word 'offer' is used in different contexts: as a proposal for a job, a casual suggestion from a friend, and as part of a formal negotiation.
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