confer

[ kuhn-fur ]

/ kənˈfɜr /

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See synonyms for: confer / conferred / conferring / confers on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object), con·ferred, con·fer·ring.

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

verb (used with object), con·ferred, con·fer·ring.

to bestow upon as a gift, favor, honor, etc.: to confer a degree on a graduate.

Obsolete. to compare.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

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 bear¹)

synonym study for confer

1. See consult. 2. See give.

OTHER WORDS FROM confer

con·fer·ment, nouncon·fer·ra·ble, adjectivecon·fer·rer, nounnon·con·fer·ra·ble, adjective

pre·con·fer, verb (used without object), pre·con·ferred, pre·con·fer·ring.re·con·fer, verb, re·con·ferred, re·con·fer·ring.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use confer in a sentence

In England, in 1796, doctor Edward Jenner demonstrated that contracting cowpox — a related but much milder virus — conferred immunity against smallpox, and shortly after that, immunization efforts began in earnest across Europe.
Smallpox used to kill millions of people every year. Here’s how humans beat it.|Kelsey Piper|February 5, 2021|Vox
Homeownership can confer great benefits — primarily wealth-building but also the stability in knowing your shelter isn’t at the whim of a landlord.
Covid-19 caused a recession. So why did the housing market boom?|Jerusalem Demsas|February 5, 2021|Vox
The standardized tests confer privilege on the already advantaged and stigmatize those who have the least.
What you need to know about standardized testing|Valerie Strauss|February 1, 2021|Washington Post
Say what you will about our celebrity obsession, the participation of megastars does confer some validation on an occasion such as this.
America yearns for an era of good feeling. The inaugural ceremony launched one.|Peter Marks|January 20, 2021|Washington Post

As if that somehow conferred greater status to a book, one that explored the origins and evolution of the universe, as well as to your fortitude for at least having given the story a shot.
Who Said Nobody Read Isaac Newton? - Issue 95: Escape|Caleb Scharf|January 20, 2021|Nautilus
Clearly, money—having it, what it confers, what it means—is different when you have lots of it.
Sting and Hillary Are Just Like You: How the Very Rich Play at Being Very Ordinary|Tim Teeman|June 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
McChrystal argues that service confers empathy, patience, discipline, willingness to sacrifice, and a sense of empowerment.
It’s Time for Obama to Heed McChrystal’s Call for the ‘Service Year’|Jonathan Alter|June 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
It confers protection under the law to those who have lacked it.
New Report Says Same-Sex Marriage Is Good for Public Health|Russell Saunders|April 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In addition, being legally married confers lower risk of depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems.
New Report Says Same-Sex Marriage Is Good for Public Health|Russell Saunders|April 15, 2014|DAILY BEAST
But it is an unusual right: one which confers not entitlement benefits or other government-granted goodies, but responsibilities.
Immigration Reform and the GOP’s Anti-Gay Suicide Mission|Jonathan Rauch|May 2, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Beauty itself confers a certain air of dignity upon its humblest possessor.
The World Before Them|Susanna Moodie
You inflict a punishment which confers honour on the culprit in the eyes of the only persons for whose opinion he cares.
The Chequers|James Runciman
Nothing confers more honor on the State where it is established, or more utility on the country at large.
Select Speeches of Daniel Webster|Daniel Webster
This force it is which confers the property of weight upon matter.
Cooley's Cyclopdia of Practical Receipts and Collateral Information in the Arts, Manufactures, Professions, and Trades..., Sixth Edition, Volume I|Arnold Cooley
You traverse the world in search of happiness, which is within the reach of every man; a contented mind confers it on all.
Dictionary of Quotations from Ancient and Modern, English and Foreign Sources|James Wood

British Dictionary definitions for confer

confer

/ (kənˈfɜː) /

verb -fers, -ferring or -ferred

(tr; foll by on or upon) to grant or bestow (an honour, gift, etc)

(intr) to hold or take part in a conference or consult together

(tr) an obsolete word for compare

Derived forms of confer

conferment or conferral, nounconferrable, adjectiveconferrer, noun

Word Origin for confer

C16: from Latin conferre to gather together, compare, from com- together + ferre to bring

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

confer

Origin of confer

synonym study for confer

OTHER WORDS FROM confer

Words related to confer

How to use confer in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for confer

Derived forms of confer

Word Origin for confer