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proffer
/ˈprɒfər/
offer or present
He proffered his resignation to the board.
He formally offered his resignation to the board.
formal
To offer or present something for acceptance or consideration.
The suspect proffered a confession to the police.
The suspect voluntarily gave a confession to the police.
She proffered her assistance in organizing the event.
She offered to help organize the event.
Often used in legal or formal contexts to describe the voluntary offering of information, evidence, or assistance.
Collocations
proffer an explanationto provide a reason or justificationproffer a suggestionto offer an idea or proposal
Pro Tip
Avoid overusing 'proffer'
In informal conversations, 'offer' or 'give' are more natural choices. Reserve 'proffer' for formal writing or when emphasizing the deliberate nature of the offering.
Gold Rule
Use 'proffer' for voluntary acts
'Proffer' implies that the act is voluntary and often carries a sense of sincerity or necessity, such as in legal confessions or heartfelt gestures.
Word Origin
Middle English: from Anglo-Norman French proffrir, from Latin pro- 'before' + offerre 'to offer'.
Usage Notes
While 'proffer' and 'offer' are synonyms, 'proffer' often implies a more formal or deliberate act of presenting something, especially in legal or serious contexts. It is less commonly used in everyday speech.
Word Breakdown
pro-
forward, before
prefix-ffer
to bring, carry
rootEnglish Dictionary