confer

[kuhn-fur]

verb (used without object)

conferred, conferring 

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

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

/ 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

Other Word Forms

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

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

The Americans who drafted and ratified this sentence plainly understood that it conferred citizenship upon American-born children of aliens.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The new Employment Rights Bill, which confers greater rights and protections on employees from day one, is also adding to employers' reluctance to take on new staff.

Read more on BBC

Critics have called the effort a naked power grab by Missouri conservatives, the new map upending a status quo that, according to an analysis by Princeton University’s Gerrymandering Project, does not confer any partisan advantage.

Read more on Salon

The real “root cause” of the war in Ukraine is Russia’s inability to accept that centuries of empire do not confer the right to dominate former colonies forever.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

With the bill pending, Republicans conferred behind closed doors and quietly dropped the bill.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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