tender
gb/tˈɛndɚ/ us/tˈɛndɚ/
A2
English
~ 6800
gyengéd, meghitt, szeretetteljes, érzékeny, nyomásérzékeny, érintésre érzékeny, puha, omlós, benyújt, ajánlat, pályázat, árajánlat, sérülékeny, zsenge, tenderhajó, szállítócsónak, panírozott csirkecsík, csirkecsík, törvényes fizetőeszköz, szerkocsi
B2
1
Usage pattern:
a tender [something]
He gave her hand a tender squeeze before leaving.
Mielőtt elment, gyengéden megszorította a kezét.
They shared a tender moment on the balcony as the sun went down.
A naplementében meghitt pillanatot töltöttek együtt az erkélyen.
Her letter is full of tender memories of their childhood.
The movie ends with a tender scene between father and son.
She spoke in a tender voice so as not to upset the child.
Learner examples
He gave the baby a tender kiss.
Gyengéd csókot adott a babának.
They had a tender talk about their future.
Meghitt beszélgetést folytattak a jövőjükről.
Her tender smile made him feel safe.
The story ends with a tender hug.
She wrote a tender note to say thank you.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "soft" instead of "tender" for emotions (e.g. *a soft moment*). "Soft" usually describes physical texture or personality weakness, while "tender" focuses on gentle, caring feelings.
Meaning
gentle and loving in manner
Collocations
tender moment
|tender smile
|tender touch
|tender words
|tender embrace
Synonyms
gentle (Stresses softness and mildness rather than emotional warmth.)
|
affectionate (Emphasizes openly showing love or fondness, often more physical or demonstrative.)
Antonyms
harsh (Describes behavior or words that are rough, unkind, or severe instead of soft and caring.)
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|descriptions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Gentle, kind, and loving in how you act or speak.
Showing gentle, kind, and caring feelings in the way you treat someone or express emotions.
B1
2
Usage pattern:
[something] is tender
My ankle is still tender from when I twisted it last week.
Még mindig érzékeny a bokám, amióta múlt héten megrándítottam.
The area around the cut is quite tender to the touch.
A vágás környéke érintésre eléggé érzékeny.
Her gums were tender after the dental surgery.
This shoulder is less tender today, so I can move it more easily.
Press gently; the bruise is very tender.
Learner examples
My knee is tender after the fall.
A térdem érzékeny az esés után.
The skin around the burn is tender.
Az égés körüli bőr érzékeny.
His tooth is tender when he eats.
Her arm is tender where she got the shot.
The cut is still tender, so be careful.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "tender" with "weak" in this sense. "Weak" means not strong, but does not always include pain. "Tender" here specifically suggests soreness or pain when touched.
Meaning
painful or sore when touched
Collocations
tender spot
|tender ankle
|tender muscles
|still tender
|tender to the touch
Synonyms
sore (More general word for painful, not always only when touched.)
Antonyms
painless (Describes something that does not cause pain or discomfort.)
Themes
health
|body
|daily_life
Definition
Hurting or feeling sore when you touch it.
Sore or sensitive so that it hurts or feels uncomfortable when touched or pressed.
A2
3
Usage pattern:
[food] is tender
The chicken was so tender it almost fell off the bone.
A csirke olyan omlós volt, hogy szinte magától levált a csontról.
Simmer the carrots for twenty minutes, or until they are tender.
Főzd lassú tűzön a sárgarépát húsz percig, vagy amíg megpuhul.
This steak is wonderfully tender and full of flavor.
She likes her pasta just tender, not too soft.
The slow cooking makes even cheap cuts of meat tender.
Learner examples
The meat is very tender.
A hús nagyon puha.
Cook the beans until they are tender.
Főzd a babot, amíg megpuhul.
I like my steak tender, not tough.
The fish was fresh and tender.
The potatoes are tender now; dinner is ready.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"the meat is soft"* when they mean it is pleasant to eat. Native speakers usually say "the meat is tender" for this positive meaning; "soft" can sound strange for meat.
Meaning
soft and easy to chew food
Collocations
tender meat
|tender steak
|cook until tender
|juicy and tender
|tender vegetables
Synonyms
soft (More general and less specific to food; can describe many textures.)
Antonyms
tough (Describes food that is hard to cut or chew.)
Themes
food
|cooking
|daily_life
|food_drink
Definition
Soft and easy to chew, usually about cooked food.
Soft and easy to cut or chew, especially referring to cooked meat or vegetables.
VERB
C1
FORMAL
4
benyújt
B2
Usage pattern:
to tender [something] to [someone]
He formally tendered his resignation to the board on Monday.
Hétfőn hivatalosan benyújtotta lemondását az igazgatótanácsnak.
Several companies have tendered bids for the construction project.
Több vállalat is ajánlatot nyújtott be az építési projektre.
The company has tendered an offer to buy back its own shares.
They refused to tender payment until the work was completed.
The minister stood up to tender an apology to the families affected.
Learner examples
He tendered his resignation in a short letter.
Rövid levélben nyújtotta be a lemondását.
Three firms tendered bids for the new road.
Három cég nyújtott be ajánlatot az új út megépítésére.
The company tendered an offer to buy the land.
She tendered an apology after the mistake.
They tendered payment as soon as they got the bill.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse "tender" for everyday offers (e.g. *tender a sandwich*). In normal conversation, use "give" or "offer". Use "tender" mainly in formal or official contexts like business, law, or government.
Meaning
formally offer or present something
Collocations
tender a resignation
|tender an apology
|tender a bid
|tender payment
|tender one's resignation
Synonyms
submit (Neutral; does not always carry the same formal or ceremonial tone.)
|
offer (More general and less formal; used in many everyday situations.)
Antonyms
withdraw (Opposite in the context of offers or bids: to take back instead of giving or presenting.)
Themes
business
|law
|work
|communication
Definition
To officially offer or give something, like a letter, apology, or price for work.
To formally give or offer something such as a resignation, apology, payment, or bid, often in a written or official way.
NOUN
C1
FORMAL
5
Usage pattern:
a tender for [something]
Over twenty companies submitted tenders for the bridge project.
Több mint húsz cég nyújtott be ajánlatot a hídépítési projektre.
The council has put the cleaning contract out to tender.
Az önkormányzat pályázatot írt ki a takarítási szerződésre.
Their tender was the lowest, but not the most attractive overall.
All tenders must be received by 5 p.m. on Friday.
The firm won the tender to supply computers to local schools.
Learner examples
Five firms sent in a tender for the job.
Öt cég nyújtott be ajánlatot a munkára.
The city asked for tenders to build the new park.
A város ajánlatokat kért az új park megépítésére.
Their tender was too high, so they did not get the work.
We are preparing a tender for the road project.
All tenders must arrive before the deadline.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "tender" with "tender offer" (a special financial term) or use "tender" for informal offers between friends. In business English, a "tender" is a formal, usually written offer in a structured process, not an everyday suggestion or price.
Meaning
formal bid for work or supply
Collocations
submit a tender
|invite tenders
|put the project out to tender
|winning tender
|competitive tender
|public tender
Synonyms
bid (More general and slightly less formal; widely used in auctions and business contexts.)
Antonyms
offer rejection (Refers to the act of refusing a tender, the opposite outcome of accepting it.)
Themes
business
|government
|economics
|work
|law
Definition
A formal written offer to do a job or sell something for a set price, usually in business or government.
A formal written offer to supply goods, do work, or buy something at a stated price, especially in response to an official invitation from a company or government.
B2
6
Usage pattern:
tender [something]
These are tender plants and should be kept indoors until the frost has passed.
Ezek érzékeny növények, ezért bent kell tartani őket, amíg elmúlik a fagyveszély.
Handle the tender seedlings carefully when you move them to larger pots.
Óvatosan bánj a zsenge palántákkal, amikor nagyobb cserepekbe ülteted át őket.
At that tender age, children can be easily influenced.
Her skin is quite tender, so she burns in the sun very quickly.
The doctor said his back is still in a tender state after the surgery.
Learner examples
You must protect these tender plants from the cold.
Meg kell védened ezeket az érzékeny növényeket a hidegtől.
The baby’s skin is very tender.
A baba bőre nagyon érzékeny.
At that tender age, children need a lot of care.
Be gentle with the tender roots of the tree.
Young leaves are tender and easy to break.
Common mistake:
Learners may mix this sense with the "sore" sense and say "my tender skin" when they mean it hurts. "Tender skin" can mean either easily damaged or currently sore; use context or add words ("my skin is very tender after the burn") to be clear.
Meaning
delicate and needing careful handling
Collocations
tender plants
|tender seedlings
|tender young leaves
|tender age
|tender skin
Synonyms
delicate (Highlights fragility or fineness; not always about youth or growth.)
Antonyms
hardy (Especially about plants or organisms that are strong and can survive difficult conditions.)
Themes
nature
|health
|descriptions
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Definition
Easy to damage or hurt and needing careful treatment.
Easily damaged, delicate, or not fully strong yet, so that it needs to be treated gently or protected.
NOUN
C1
7
tenderhajó
B2
Usage pattern:
a tender for [a ship]
Passengers were taken ashore by tender because the ship was too large to dock.
Az utasokat tenderhajóval vitték partra, mert a hajó túl nagy volt ahhoz, hogy kikössön.
We waited on deck for the tender to return from the port.
A fedélzeten vártuk, hogy a tenderhajó visszatérjen a kikötőből.
The yacht’s tender is stored on the upper deck when not in use.
A small tender ferries supplies out to the research vessel each morning.
During rough weather, the captain suspended tender operations for safety.
Learner examples
We used a tender to go from the big ship to the beach.
Tenderhajóval mentünk a nagy hajóról a strandra.
The tender takes food and water to the main boat.
A tenderhajó ételt és vizet visz a nagy hajóra.
The ship’s tender is tied to the side of the ship.
They got on the tender to go to the island.
The tender brings passengers back to the cruise ship.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with "ferry". A "tender" usually serves one specific larger ship, while a "ferry" runs on a regular public route between two places.
Meaning
small service boat for a ship
Collocations
ship's tender
|take the tender ashore
|harbor tender
|passenger tender
Synonyms
launch (A more technical nautical term; not always used for regular service boats.)
Antonyms
mothership (The main, larger vessel that the tender serves, opposite in size and role.)
Themes
transport
|travel
|sea
|transportation
Definition
A small boat that takes people or things between land and a bigger boat or ship.
A small boat used to carry people, goods, or supplies to and from a larger boat or ship.
NOUN
B1
INFORMAL
8
Usage pattern:
chicken tenders
She ordered chicken tenders and fries for the kids.
Panírozott csirkecsíkokat és sült krumplit rendelt a gyerekeknek.
The restaurant serves spicy tenders with three different dipping sauces.
Az étterem csípős csirkecsíkokat kínál háromféle mártogatóssal.
I’ll have a salad and a side of grilled tenders, please.
These homemade chicken tenders are baked, not fried.
He dipped a tender into the barbecue sauce and took a big bite.
Learner examples
We ate chicken tenders for lunch.
Panírozott csirkecsíkokat ettünk ebédre.
The kids like tenders with ketchup.
A gyerekek szeretik a csirkecsíkokat ketchuppal.
I ordered three tenders and a drink.
These chicken tenders are very crispy.
She cooked tenders in the oven.
Common mistake:
Learners may think "tender" here is the normal adjective and say *"I ate a tender chicken"*. In fast-food English, "tenders" is a noun that means small chicken pieces, usually in the plural: "chicken tenders".
Meaning
fried strip of chicken meat
Collocations
chicken tenders
|order tenders
|fried tenders
|grilled tenders
|kids' meal tenders
Synonyms
chicken strips (Very close in meaning; more descriptive and common in some restaurant menus.)
Antonyms
whole chicken (Contrasts with a small processed strip; refers to the bird as a whole piece of meat.)
Themes
food
|restaurants
|daily_life
|food_drink
Definition
A small piece or strip of chicken, often covered in crumbs and fried.
A strip or small piece of chicken meat, often from the breast, that is coated in batter or breadcrumbs and usually fried or baked.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
9
Usage pattern:
legal tender
These old notes are no longer legal tender.
Ezek a régi bankjegyek már nem számítanak törvényes fizetőeszköznek.
The new coin will become legal tender from January 1st.
Az új érme január 1-jétől törvényes fizetőeszköz lesz.
In most countries, only the national currency is legal tender for everyday debts.
Foreign banknotes are not legal tender here, although some shops may accept them.
The contract specifies payment in a form of legal tender accepted in the EU.
Learner examples
These coins are still legal tender in this country.
Ezek az érmék még mindig törvényes fizetőeszköznek számítanak ebben az országban.
The old money is not legal tender now.
A régi pénz ma már nem törvényes fizetőeszköz.
You must pay in legal tender, not in foreign coins.
The new banknote is legal tender from today.
Shops do not have to take money that is not legal tender.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "tender" alone to mean money in general. In modern English, this sense almost always appears in the fixed phrase "legal tender".
Meaning
money that must be accepted by law
Collocations
legal tender
|no longer legal tender
|become legal tender
|not recognized as legal tender
Synonyms
currency (General word for money used in a country; not all currency has the specific legal status of legal tender in all situations.)
Antonyms
invalid currency (Refers to money that cannot legally be used to pay debts, opposite in legal status.)
Themes
law
|economics
|finance
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Official money that the law says people must accept to pay a debt, usually called "legal tender".
Money, such as coins or banknotes, that must by law be accepted as payment for debts, usually used in the fixed phrase "legal tender".
NOUN
C2
TECHNICAL
10
szerkocsi
C1
Usage pattern:
a tender behind [a locomotive]
The old steam locomotive and its tender are displayed in the railway museum.
A régi gőzmozdony és a szerkocsija a vasúti múzeumban látható.
Workers loaded coal into the tender before the train set off.
A munkások szenet raktak a szerkocsiba, mielőtt a vonat elindult.
The tender carried enough water for several hours of continuous running.
In the model train set, the tender is fixed to the back of the engine.
They restored the original tender to match the historic locomotive.
Learner examples
The steam engine pulls a tender full of coal.
A gőzmozdony egy szénnel teli szerkocsit húz.
Behind the locomotive is a tender with water.
A mozdony mögött egy vízzel teli szerkocsi van.
The museum shows an old train with its tender.
Workers filled the tender before the train left.
The tender is part of the old steam train.
Common mistake:
Learners may think this "tender" is related to "tender" meaning soft or gentle. In railway use, the word is a fixed technical term for the fuel-and-water car, not about softness.
Meaning
rail car for locomotive fuel and water
Collocations
locomotive and tender
|coal tender
|water tender
|steam locomotive tender
Synonyms
fuel car (Descriptive but less standard; stresses the role of carrying fuel.)
Antonyms
passenger car (Contrasts with a tender by function: carries people rather than fuel or water.)
Themes
transport
|technology
|history
|transportation
Definition
A train car behind a steam engine that holds the coal and water.
A railroad car attached directly behind a steam locomotive that carries the fuel and water needed to run it.
Grammar
Dictionary form
tender
IPA
GB/tˈɛndɚ/
US/tˈɛndɚ/
Syllables & stress
tender (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (tender)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: tender
- Comparative: tenderer
- Superlative: tenderest
Noun
- Base: tender
- Plural: tenders
Verb
- Base: tender
- 3rd Person Singular: tenders
- Present Participle: tendering
- Past: tendered
Word family
Forms
tenders
noun
tendering
verb
tendered
verb
tenderer
adjective
tenderest
adjective
Core family
tenderly
adverb B1
tenderness
noun B1
Related words
tenderize
verb
tenderizer
noun
Advanced or less common
tenderization
noun
Expressions
at the tender age of
2/ˈæt ðə tˈɛndɚ ˈeɪd͡ʒ əv/
fixed phrase
at a very young age
Used to say that someone did something when they were very young.
Examples
- She started playing the piano at the tender age of four.
- He moved abroad alone at the tender age of sixteen.
- At the tender age of eight, she had already written her first story.
go out to tender
8/ɡˈoʊ ˈaʊt tə tˈɛndɚ/
fixed phrase
formal
enter the formal bidding process
When a project or contract is officially opened for companies to send formal offers.
Examples
- The rail upgrade will go out to tender later this year.
- The project has gone out to tender, and responses are due in May.
- Once the work goes out to tender, we expect strong interest from major firms.
legal tender
4/lˈiɡəl tˈɛndɚ/
fixed phrase
technical
money officially accepted by law
Money that the law says people must accept if someone uses it to pay a debt.
Examples
- In this country, only the national currency is legal tender.
- These old coins are no longer legal tender.
- The new banknote will become legal tender next month.
put [something] out to tender
6/pˈʊt sˈʌmθɪŋ ˈaʊt tə tˈɛndɚ/
fixed phrase
formal
invite formal bids for a contract
To officially ask companies to send formal written offers to do work or sell goods or services.
Examples
- The government has put the new hospital project out to tender.
- They plan to put the cleaning contract out to tender next month.
- All major construction work must be put out to tender under the new rules.
submit a tender
7/sʌbmˈɪt ə tˈɛndɚ/
fixed phrase
formal
send in a formal bid
To send an official written offer to do work or sell goods at a set price.
Examples
- More than fifty companies submitted tenders for the airport contract.
- We decided not to submit a tender because the deadline was too tight.
- Firms have until Friday to submit their tenders.
tender loving care
1/tˈɛndɚ lˈʌvɪŋ kˈɛɹ/
fixed phrase
extra gentle and caring treatment
Very kind, gentle care, especially to help someone or something become better or healthier.
Examples
- That plant looks half dead, but with a little tender loving care it might recover.
- The old house needs some tender loving care before anyone can live in it again.
- After the accident, the puppy needed a lot of tender loving care.
tender offer
9/tˈɛndɚ ˈɔfɚ/
fixed phrase
technical
formal offer to buy company shares
A formal public offer to buy a lot of shares in a company at a set price, usually to gain control of the company.
Examples
- The company’s stock jumped after a rival announced a tender offer.
- Shareholders have thirty days to respond to the tender offer.
- The board advised investors to reject the hostile tender offer.
tender years
5/tˈɛndɚ jˈɪɹz/
fixed phrase
formal
very young age, especially of a child
A formal way to talk about someone’s very young age.
Examples
- Despite his tender years, he showed remarkable maturity.
- She was already performing on stage in her tender years.
- The school focuses on supporting children in their tender years.
tender-hearted
3/tˈɛndɚ hˈɑɹtɪd/
fixed phrase
kind and easily moved to pity
Very kind and easily hurt by sad things; feeling strong pity for others.
Examples
- She’s too tender-hearted to watch horror films with a lot of suffering.
- He may look tough, but he’s really quite tender-hearted.
- Only the most tender-hearted people volunteer at the shelter every weekend.