tender
tender Lexical Profile
tender Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Showing gentleness, kindness, and affection.
"She gave her sleeping child a tender kiss on the forehead."
Easy to cut or chew; not tough (of food, especially meat).
"Slowly braising the beef for several hours made it remarkably tender."
Sensitive to pain or touch; sore or easily bruised (of a part of the body).
"His sprained ankle was still swollen and tender to the touch."
Young, immature, and vulnerable, or fragile and easily damaged by severe weather (of plants).
"She began learning the violin at the tender age of four, while her parents covered the tender garden shoots before the frost."
• noun
A formal written offer to carry out work, supply goods, or purchase an asset for a stated fixed price.
"The municipal council invited construction companies to submit a tender for the new bridge project."
American A narrow, boneless strip of poultry meat, especially from the breast of a chicken, typically breaded and fried or baked.
"The children ordered a basket of crispy chicken tenders with honey mustard dipping sauce."
Something, especially official currency or coin, that may be formally offered in payment to settle a debt.
"Banknotes and coins issued by the central bank serve as legal tender throughout the country."
A smaller boat or vessel used to service, supply, or transport passengers to and from a larger ship, or a rail car coupled behind a steam locomotive to carry fuel and water.
"Because the harbor was too shallow for the cruise ship, passengers were ferried ashore aboard a small motor tender."
A person who looks after, tends, or takes charge of someone or something (most commonly used in combinations such as bartender).
"The lighthouse tender ensured that the beacon remained lit through the fiercest winter storms."
• verb
To offer or present something formally (such as a resignation, payment, or apology) for acceptance.
"Following the board's decision, the director chose to tender his resignation effective immediately."
To make a formal, written bid to carry out work or supply goods at a stated price.
"Several regional engineering firms plan to tender for the highway maintenance contract."
• Rhymes for tender
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The adjective derives from Old French 'tendre', from Latin 'tener' meaning 'soft' or 'delicate'. The verb and financial noun senses derive from Anglo-French 'tendre' ('to offer or stretch forth'), from Latin 'tendere' ('to stretch'), while the maritime and railway vehicle sense comes from the verb 'tend' (short for 'attend').