tender
gb/tˈɛndɚ/ us/tˈɛndɚ/
A2
英语
~ 6800
义项
0 个义项
adjective
B2
property
1
gentle and loving in manner
Gentle, kind, and loving in how you act or speak.
用法模式：
a tender [something]
常见错误：
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.
近义词
gentle (Stresses softness and mildness rather than emotional warmth.)
|
affectionate (Emphasizes openly showing love or fondness, often more physical or demonstrative.)
反义词
harsh (Describes behavior or words that are rough, unkind, or severe instead of soft and caring.)
搭配
tender moment
|tender smile
|tender touch
|tender words
|tender embrace
主题
emotions
|relationships
|descriptions
|core_vocabulary
例句
- He gave her hand a tender squeeze before leaving.
- They shared a tender moment on the balcony as the sun went down.
- 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.
学习者例句
- He gave the baby a tender kiss.
- They had a tender talk about their future.
- Her tender smile made him feel safe.
- The story ends with a tender hug.
- She wrote a tender note to say thank you.
adjective
B1
property
2
painful or sore when touched
Hurting or feeling sore when you touch it.
用法模式：
[something] is tender
常见错误：
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.
近义词
sore (More general word for painful, not always only when touched.)
反义词
painless (Describes something that does not cause pain or discomfort.)
搭配
tender spot
|tender ankle
|tender muscles
|still tender
|tender to the touch
主题
health
|body
|daily_life
例句
- My ankle is still tender from when I twisted it last week.
- The area around the cut is quite tender to the touch.
- 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.
学习者例句
- My knee is tender after the fall.
- The skin around the burn is tender.
- His tooth is tender when he eats.
- Her arm is tender where she got the shot.
- The cut is still tender, so be careful.
adjective
A2
property
3
soft and easy to chew food
Soft and easy to chew, usually about cooked food.
用法模式：
[food] is tender
常见错误：
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.
近义词
soft (More general and less specific to food; can describe many textures.)
反义词
tough (Describes food that is hard to cut or chew.)
搭配
tender meat
|tender steak
|cook until tender
|juicy and tender
|tender vegetables
主题
food
|cooking
|daily_life
|food_drink
例句
- The chicken was so tender it almost fell off the bone.
- Simmer the carrots for twenty minutes, or until they are tender.
- 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.
学习者例句
- The meat is very tender.
- Cook the beans until they are tender.
- I like my steak tender, not tough.
- The fish was fresh and tender.
- The potatoes are tender now; dinner is ready.
动词
formal
C1
action
4
formally offer or present something
To officially offer or give something, like a letter, apology, or price for work.
用法模式：
to tender [something] to [someone]
常见错误：
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.
近义词
submit (Neutral; does not always carry the same formal or ceremonial tone.)
|
offer (More general and less formal; used in many everyday situations.)
反义词
withdraw (Opposite in the context of offers or bids: to take back instead of giving or presenting.)
搭配
tender a resignation
|tender an apology
|tender a bid
|tender payment
|tender one's resignation
主题
business
|law
|work
|communication
例句
- He formally tendered his resignation to the board on Monday.
- Several companies have tendered bids for the construction project.
- 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.
学习者例句
- He tendered his resignation in a short letter.
- Three firms tendered bids for the new road.
- 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.
名词
formal
C1
entity
5
formal bid for work or supply
A formal written offer to do a job or sell something for a set price, usually in business or government.
用法模式：
a tender for [something]
常见错误：
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.
近义词
bid (More general and slightly less formal; widely used in auctions and business contexts.)
反义词
offer rejection (Refers to the act of refusing a tender, the opposite outcome of accepting it.)
搭配
submit a tender
|invite tenders
|put the project out to tender
|winning tender
|competitive tender
|public tender
主题
business
|government
|economics
|work
|law
例句
- Over twenty companies submitted tenders for the bridge project.
- The council has put the cleaning contract out to tender.
- 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.
学习者例句
- Five firms sent in a tender for the job.
- The city asked for tenders to build the new park.
- 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.
adjective
B2
property
6
delicate and needing careful handling
Easy to damage or hurt and needing careful treatment.
用法模式：
tender [something]
常见错误：
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.
近义词
delicate (Highlights fragility or fineness; not always about youth or growth.)
反义词
hardy (Especially about plants or organisms that are strong and can survive difficult conditions.)
搭配
tender plants
|tender seedlings
|tender young leaves
|tender age
|tender skin
主题
nature
|health
|descriptions
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
例句
- These are tender plants and should be kept indoors until the frost has passed.
- Handle the tender seedlings carefully when you move them to larger pots.
- 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.
学习者例句
- You must protect these tender plants from the cold.
- The baby’s skin is very tender.
- 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.
名词
C1
entity
7
small service boat for a ship
A small boat that takes people or things between land and a bigger boat or ship.
用法模式：
a tender for [a ship]
常见错误：
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.
近义词
launch (A more technical nautical term; not always used for regular service boats.)
反义词
mothership (The main, larger vessel that the tender serves, opposite in size and role.)
搭配
ship's tender
|take the tender ashore
|harbor tender
|passenger tender
主题
transport
|travel
|sea
|transportation
例句
- Passengers were taken ashore by tender because the ship was too large to dock.
- We waited on deck for the tender to return from the port.
- 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.
学习者例句
- We used a tender to go from the big ship to the beach.
- The tender takes food and water to the main boat.
- 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.
名词
informal
B1
entity
8
fried strip of chicken meat
A small piece or strip of chicken, often covered in crumbs and fried.
用法模式：
chicken tenders
常见错误：
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".
近义词
chicken strips (Very close in meaning; more descriptive and common in some restaurant menus.)
反义词
whole chicken (Contrasts with a small processed strip; refers to the bird as a whole piece of meat.)
搭配
chicken tenders
|order tenders
|fried tenders
|grilled tenders
|kids' meal tenders
主题
food
|restaurants
|daily_life
|food_drink
例句
- She ordered chicken tenders and fries for the kids.
- The restaurant serves spicy tenders with three different dipping sauces.
- 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.
学习者例句
- We ate chicken tenders for lunch.
- The kids like tenders with ketchup.
- I ordered three tenders and a drink.
- These chicken tenders are very crispy.
- She cooked tenders in the oven.
名词
technical
C1
entity
9
money that must be accepted by law
Official money that the law says people must accept to pay a debt, usually called "legal tender".
用法模式：
legal tender
常见错误：
Learners sometimes use "tender" alone to mean money in general. In modern English, this sense almost always appears in the fixed phrase "legal tender".
近义词
currency (General word for money used in a country; not all currency has the specific legal status of legal tender in all situations.)
反义词
invalid currency (Refers to money that cannot legally be used to pay debts, opposite in legal status.)
搭配
legal tender
|no longer legal tender
|become legal tender
|not recognized as legal tender
主题
law
|economics
|finance
|core_vocabulary
例句
- These old notes are no longer legal tender.
- The new coin will become legal tender from January 1st.
- 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.
学习者例句
- These coins are still legal tender in this country.
- The old money is not legal tender now.
- 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.
名词
technical
C2
entity
10
rail car for locomotive fuel and water
A train car behind a steam engine that holds the coal and water.
用法模式：
a tender behind [a locomotive]
常见错误：
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.
近义词
fuel car (Descriptive but less standard; stresses the role of carrying fuel.)
反义词
passenger car (Contrasts with a tender by function: carries people rather than fuel or water.)
搭配
locomotive and tender
|coal tender
|water tender
|steam locomotive tender
主题
transport
|technology
|history
|transportation
例句
- The old steam locomotive and its tender are displayed in the railway museum.
- Workers loaded coal into the tender before the train set off.
- 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.
学习者例句
- The steam engine pulls a tender full of coal.
- Behind the locomotive is a tender with water.
- 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.
语法
词典原形
tender
IPA
GB/tˈɛndɚ/
US/tˈɛndɚ/
音节与重音
tender （1 个音节）
Stress on 1st syllable (tender)
词形变化
Adjective
- Base: tender
- Comparative: tenderer
- Superlative: tenderest
Noun
- Base: tender
- Plural: tenders
Verb
- Base: tender
- 3rd Person Singular: tenders
- Present Participle: tendering
- Past: tendered
词族
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
相关表达
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.
例句
- 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.
例句
- 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.
例句
- 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.
例句
- 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.
例句
- 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.
例句
- 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.
例句
- 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.
例句
- 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.
例句
- 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.