What does 'legal tender' mean?

It refers to money that must be accepted if offered in payment of a debt.

Can 'tender' be used for people?

Yes, e.g., 'a tender child' means a young, vulnerable child, but this is somewhat literary. More common: 'tender towards someone' (showing gentleness).

What's the difference between 'tender' and 'soft'?

'Tender' often implies ease of damage (tender skin) or emotional warmth (tender feelings). 'Soft' is more general for texture (soft pillow) or volume (soft voice).

Is 'tender' a formal word?

It depends. The financial/legal sense is formal. The emotional/culinary sense is neutral and common in everyday language.

How do you pronounce “tender is the night”?

Tender is the night: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtendə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtendər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

tender is the night: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

UK/ˈtendə(r)/US/ˈtendər/

Formal for financial/legal senses; poetic/literary for 'gentle' sense; everyday for 'soft/easily chewed' sense.

My Flashcards

Quick answer

What does “tender is the night” mean?

1. (adj.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

1. (adj.) soft, gentle, delicate, or easily damaged; 2. (adj.) showing kindness, care, or sympathy; 3. (adj.) (of food) easy to cut or chew; 4. (adj.) (of a body part) painful when touched; 5. (v.) to offer formally, as in a resignation or bid; 6. (n.) a formal offer to supply goods or do work at a stated price.

The phrase 'tender is the night' is a literary inversion from F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel, evoking a sense of the night being gentle, protective, or vulnerable. In legal/financial contexts, 'tender' refers to an offer of money or performance to satisfy an obligation. In shipping, a 'tender' is a small boat that ferries passengers between ship and shore.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

In finance, 'tender offer' is common in both; 'legal tender' (official currency) is identical. 'Tender' as verb for 'offer' is slightly more formal in UK. Culinary use identical.

Connotations

UK slightly more likely to use 'tender' in older poetic/romantic contexts (e.g., 'tender feelings'). US perhaps slightly more commercial/financial due to Wall Street usage.

Frequency

Both use adjective senses frequently. Verb/noun senses more common in business/legal contexts globally.

Grammar

How to Use “tender is the night” in a Sentence

tender something (to somebody)tender for somethingtender one's resignation/apologiesbe tender to/towards somebody

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

tender loving caretender agetender offerlegal tendertender meat

medium

tender momenttender hearttender skintender documentsubmit a tender

weak

tender nighttender looktester tendertender processtender spot

Examples

Examples of “tender is the night” in a Sentence

verb

British English

He decided to tender his resignation immediately.
The company will tender for the new rail contract.

American English

She tendered her apology to the board.
The firm tendered a bid for the construction project.

adverb

British English

He spoke tenderly to the frightened child.
She held the kitten tenderly.

American English

He smiled tenderly at the memory.
The nurse treated the wound tenderly.

adjective

British English

The steak was beautifully tender.
She has a tender spot for stray animals.

American English

The meat needs slow cooking to become tender.
His tender remarks moved the audience.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Formal offer to supply goods/services at a fixed price; 'submit a tender'.

Academic

Used in literary analysis (Fitzgerald), economics (tender offer), medicine (tender abdomen).

Everyday

Describing soft food, gentle touch, or sensitive emotions.

Technical

Legal: 'tender of performance'; Finance: 'tender offer'; Maritime: 'ship's tender'.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “tender is the night”

Strong

compassionateaffectionateproffer bid

Neutral

gentle soft delicate offer submit

Weak

kindlovingpresent sensitive

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “tender is the night”

tough hard callous rough withhold

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “tender is the night”

Using 'tender' as a verb without object (*He tendered for the contract* – better: *He tendered his bid for the contract*). Confusing 'tender' (adj.) with 'tenure' (n.). Overusing 'tender' for 'soft' in non-food contexts.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: It refers to money that must be accepted if offered in payment of a debt.
: Yes, e.g., 'a tender child' means a young, vulnerable child, but this is somewhat literary. More common: 'tender towards someone' (showing gentleness).
: 'Tender' often implies ease of damage (tender skin) or emotional warmth (tender feelings). 'Soft' is more general for texture (soft pillow) or volume (soft voice).
: It depends. The financial/legal sense is formal. The emotional/culinary sense is neutral and common in everyday language.
: 1. (adj.
: Tender is the night: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtendə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtendər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“tender is the night (literary)”
“legal tender”
“at a tender age”
“tender loving care (TLC)”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

A TENDER heart is both gentle (adjective) and offers love (verb).

Conceptual Metaphor

GENTLENESS IS SOFTNESS (tender touch); AN OFFER IS AN EXTENDED HAND (tender a bid).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

After the scandal, the minister was forced to his resignation.

Multiple Choice

In which context does 'tender' NOT mean 'gentle'?