confer

[ kuhn-fur ]

verb (used without object)

, con·ferred, con·fer·ring.

1. to consult together; compare opinions; carry on a discussion or deliberation.

verb (used with object)

, con·ferred, con·fer·ring.

1. to bestow upon as a gift, favor, honor, etc.:

   to confer a degree on a graduate.

2. Obsolete. to compare.

confer

/ kənˈfɜː /

verb

1. tr; foll by on or upon to grant or bestow (an honour, gift, etc)
2. intr to hold or take part in a conference or consult together
3. See compare
   tr an obsolete word for compare

Derived Forms

• conˈferment, noun
• conˈferrable, adjective
• conˈferrer, noun

Other Words From

• con·fer·ment noun
• con·fer·ra·ble adjective
• con·fer·rer noun
• non·con·fer·ra·ble adjective
• pre·con·fer verb (used without object) preconferred preconferring
• re·con·fer verb reconferred reconferring

Word History and Origins

Origin of confer¹

First recorded in 1400–50 for earlier sense “to summon”; 1520–30 for current senses; late Middle English conferen, from Latin conferre “to bring together, compare, consult with,” equivalent to con- “with, together, completely” ( con- ) + ferre “to carry, bear” ( bear ¹ )

Word History and Origins

Origin of confer¹

C16: from Latin conferre to gather together, compare, from com- together + ferre to bring

Synonym Study

See consult. See give.

Example Sentences

But that was so yesterday, much like his contention that he lacked the power to unilaterally confer amnesty.

From The Daily Beast

Colleges churn out graduates and confer advanced degrees, but the scramble for jobs continues.

From The Daily Beast

The firemen confer with the organizers and then beckon them toward the front of the bus.

From The Daily Beast

Walter worships objects and cash, believing they will magically confer upon him the social status he so desperately craves.

From The Daily Beast

Now Hunter wanted to confer an honorary doctorate on me, and I needed to find the words to properly convey how honored I felt.

From The Daily Beast

We shall, I know, emulate their steadfastness and achieve a result which will confer added laurels to French and British arms.

From Project Gutenberg

Scattergood, out of the corner of his eye, saw them rush together and confer frenziedly.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Monterey will confer with us at noon, and before school is dismissed to-day we will announce the winner.

From Project Gutenberg

Been dropping in to confer with the vice-president about the local real estate situation.

From Project Gutenberg

After that he and Mert, as by a common thought impelled, climbed out and went over to a bushy live oak to confer in privacy.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• advise
• argue
• brainstorm
• consult
• huddle
• negotiate
• speak