Tender
/ˈtɛndər/
adjectivenounverbB1
Definition
As an adjective, tender describes something soft to touch, gentle, or showing love and care. It can describe feelings, actions, or physical qualities like soft meat or skin. As a noun, tender means a formal offer, often for business or work. As a verb, it means to give or offer something, usually officially.
Was this helpful?
See It in Action
Adjective: Soft, gentle, or showing care
- •The chicken was cooked until it was tender and easy to cut.
- •She gave him a tender smile when he was feeling sad.
- •His hands were tender after working in the garden all day.
Noun: A formal offer or proposal
- •The company submitted a tender to build the new bridge.
- •They received several tenders for the construction work.
Verb: To offer or give something formally
- •He tendered his resignation to the manager yesterday.
- •The lawyer tendered new evidence in court.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "tender" like "soft" (A1 word), but also with feelings—soft not just in touch but in heart and care
- ✓Picture a mother holding a baby gently, careful not to hurt—their hands are tender and kind
- ✓It's the feeling when someone helps you when you are hurt or sad, showing kindness and care
- ✓Sounds like "TENDER" → imagine someone handing you a small, soft flower as a gentle gift
- ✓Remember the phrase "tender heart" meaning a person who feels deeply and cares a lot
- ✓NOT like "hard" (strong and rough), tender is soft and gentle in feeling or touch
- ✓NOT like "rough" (harsh or tough), tender is smooth and kind
- ✓As a noun, NOT like "demand" (forceful request), tender is a polite, official offer
- ✓As a verb, NOT like "take" (to get), tender means to give or offer something carefully or officially
Try Other Words
- •Gentle: kind and soft in action or feeling (Use when focusing on kindness and care)
- •Offer: to give or present something formally (Use when tender is a noun or verb about giving proposals)
- •Delicate: easily hurt or needing careful handling (Use when tender means sensitive or fragile)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: Root word "tender" without prefix or suffix here
- •Etymology: From Latin "tender" meaning soft, delicate, or to stretch out
- •Historical development: Used in English since the 14th century to mean soft or delicate, later also used for formal offers
- •Modern usage: Commonly used for describing softness, kindness, and formal business offers or actions
Reflect & Connect
•How do you show tender feelings in daily life without using words?
•Can something be tender and strong at the same time? How?
Fill in the blanks
1.The meat was so tender that it ___ easily with a fork.
2.She gave him a tender ___ when he was upset, showing she cared.
3.The company sent a tender ___ to win the contract for the new building.
4.After the accident, his skin felt tender ___ any touch.
5.He tendered his ___ to the boss to leave the job.
6.When you are tender with someone, you show ___ and kindness.
7.Unlike hard or rough, tender means ___ and gentle in touch or feeling.