confer

American  

[kuhn-fur] / kənˈfɜr /

verb (used without object)

conferred, conferring

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

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verb (used with object)

conferred, conferring

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

   to confer a degree on a graduate.

2. Obsolete. to compare.

confer British  

/ 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. (tr) an obsolete word for compare

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Related Words

See consult. See give.

Other Word Forms

• conferment noun
• conferrable adjective
• conferrer noun
• nonconferrable adjective
• preconfer verb (used without object)
• reconfer verb

Etymology

Origin of confer

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 )

Example Sentences

While several recent studies have found that a single dose of the vaccine confers as much protection as two, there is no single-dose HPV vaccine licensed in the U.S. yet.

From Los Angeles Times

If it has, the U.S. will officially lose the measles elimination status that the organization conferred in 2000.

From Los Angeles Times

“Counsel conferred with his client outside the presence of the government, but defendant did not change his prior statements.’

From Los Angeles Times

Kin, in his ruling, said the city is allowed under the Brown Act to confer with its attorneys in closed-door meetings to discuss legal strategy.

From Los Angeles Times

Jackson briefly conferred with Reiner in court then went into chambers for around 10 minutes before returning to withdraw from the case.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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