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” ( 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

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

This "selfless" sharing, known as horizontal gene transfer, can rapidly spread useful traits including genes that confer resistance to antibiotic drugs used to treat infections.

From Science Daily • Apr. 17, 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

Goldman Sachs and Bank of New York Mellon also partnered to launch digital tokens that confer ownership of money-market funds managed by many of the biggest investment firms.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 9, 2026

Hamlet went to confer with the players, while Horatio approached me.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein

Related Words

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