confer

American  

[kuhn-fur] / kənˈfɜr /

verb (used without object)

confers, present (3rd person singular) conferred, past participle, past conferring present participle

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

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verb (used with object)

confers, present (3rd person singular) conferred, past participle, past conferring present participle

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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Synonym Usage

See consult. See give.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

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

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has conferred
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have conferred
  perfect
• has been conferring
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• are conferring
  progressive
• am conferring
  progressive 1st person singular
• have been conferring
  perfect progressive
• is conferring
  progressive 3rd person singular
• conferring
  participle
• confers
  singular 3rd person

Past

• had conferred
  perfect
• had been conferring
  perfect progressive
• was conferring
  progressive singular
• were conferring
  progressive plural
• conferred
  simple
• conferred
  participle

Future

• will confer
  simple
• will have conferred
  perfect
• will be conferring
  progressive
• will have been conferring
  perfect progressive

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.

Example Sentences

Asked by a Chinese senior colonel about how the U.S. would implement the consensus, Hegseth said the Pentagon would maximize the opportunities to confer with Beijing on issues including maritime or aerial actions.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 30, 2026

The justices then read those briefs and hear oral arguments in the case in a public session, during which they can question attorneys for both sides, before they meet and confer.

From Salon • Apr. 25, 2026

But, it said, court decisions, the county’s Employee Relations Commission and the law “require that the County ... meet and confer with labor partners about the impacts before documents are shared. Those discussions are underway.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

"Individuals recovering from severe viral pneumonia, particularly those with smoking history, may benefit from enhanced lung cancer surveillance, and preventing severe infection through vaccination may confer indirect cancer protection benefits."

From Science Daily • Mar. 13, 2026

She became aware of the nervy, fidgeting music behind her the moment it ceased, and in the sudden new measure of silence, which seemed to confer freedom, she decided she must eat breakfast.

From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan

Related Words

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