confer
Americanverb (used without object)
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confers,
present (3rd person singular)
-
conferred,
past participle, past
-
conferring
present participle
verb (used with object)
-
confers,
present (3rd person singular)
-
conferred,
past participle, past
-
conferring
present participle
-
to bestow upon as a gift, favor, honor, etc..
to confer a degree on a graduate.
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Obsolete. to compare.
verb
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(tr; foll by on or upon) to grant or bestow (an honour, gift, etc)
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(intr) to hold or take part in a conference or consult together
-
(tr) an obsolete word for compare
Synonym Usage
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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confermentnoun
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conferrernoun
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reconferverb
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preconferverb (used without object)
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conferrableadjective
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nonconferrableadjective
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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confersimple
-
conferssimple
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have conferredperfect
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has conferredperfect
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am conferringprogressive
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are conferringprogressive
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is conferringprogressive
-
have been conferringperfect progressive
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has been conferringperfect progressive
Past
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conferredsimple
-
had conferredperfect
-
was conferringprogressive
-
were conferringprogressive
-
had been conferringperfect progressive
Future
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” ( see con-) + ferre “to carry, bear” ( see bear 1)
Explanation
If you gab, chat, and talk it up with someone, you have conversation, but if you're looking for input from each other as you talk, you confer, or consult, together. They had a family meeting to confer about a schedule for sharing the new laptop. Many uses of the verb confer involve consulting with another person or as a group. Confer has a second use meaning "bestow," which means to award or hand over something. You can confer a medal on a winner or hero, or you can confer status through a promotion or assignment. Each year the teacher would confer the special honor of summer hamster-sitter on one responsible student.
Vocabulary lists containing confer
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"The Great Gatsby," Chapter 1 Vocabulary
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
The degree is distinct from a doctorate of medicine or M.D., though both confer the same authorities.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 17, 2026
Different types of workouts also confer their own benefits when it comes to health and weight maintenance.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 22, 2026
That’s why older first-time parents should confer with their own parents to tackle the “who’s going to take care of you?” question.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 1, 2026
“The 245 gives us the opportunity to meet and confer and see if there are revisions or additions or mitigation that can better protect the full community,” McOsker said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 27, 2026
That afternoon Mrs. Frisby told the children that she must leave them to confer again with the rats about moving the house.
From "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH" by Robert C. O'Brien
“Whether that automatically confers a sustainably higher valuation for healthcare is an entirely separate issue, however.”
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 30, 2026
"Leisa is a phenomenal talent, and casting directors and filmmakers will be sitting up and taking notice. She has warmth and charisma and that magical but unquantifiable essence that confers star status," he added.
From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026
Carrying a single copy of the mutation confers protection against severe malaria.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 9, 2026
Article 4, Section 3 of the Constitution confers on Congress the exclusive power to “dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the … property of the United States.”
From Slate ● Aug. 17, 2026
As with anyone who has acted successfully, the experience gives Mariela both a thrill and a jolt of confidence—but for her, it confers an additional meaning and benefit.
From "Drama High" by Michael Sokolove
The Crown didn’t take offense; Queen Elizabeth II conferred Stewart’s knighthood in 2010.
From Salon ● Oct. 30, 2026
They stared ahead or conferred with their lawyers, who said they advised their clients not to look at the victims so it couldn't be misconstrued.
From BBC ● Oct. 27, 2026
They point to the growing number of countries which have conferred de facto recognition by clinching deals, accrediting diplomats, operating embassies, and more.
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026
It’s clear they also wanted to maintain the impunity conferred by America’s superpower status.
From Salon ● Jul. 19, 2026
And every time we conferred, we defeated ourselves.
From "Black Boy" by Richard Wright
Most of the tokenized stocks trading today are technically derivatives tracking share prices without conferring all the rights of ownership that come with shares.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 7, 2026
Back in Chiapas, where he said he can’t find work, he is helping his parents cultivate their land, while also conferring with Maria on how they might reunite.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 23, 2026
After conferring with Parias’ 19-year-old son, Rivera asked the judge if the young man could hug his father, whom he hadn’t seen in a week.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 31, 2025
"After conferring with the league office, because Lamar didn't take starter reps in practice, we updated our report to reflect his practice participation," the Ravens said.
From Barron's ● Oct. 31, 2025
All the Model 82958s began conferring in whispers.
From "The School for Whatnots" by Margaret Peterson Haddix
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