confer
Americanverb (used without object)
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confers,
present (3rd person singular)
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conferred,
past participle, past
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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
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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
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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
The Vocabulary.com Top 1000
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"The Great Gatsby," Chapter 1 Vocabulary
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Refugee
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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:
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 consequence is to confer substantially greater discretion on the executive.
From Slate ● Jun. 26, 2026
Answering questions, they confer in a huddle before appointing a spokesperson.
From BBC ● Jun. 19, 2026
“As a result,” the statement added, “the better course is to complete the meet and confer process and ensure that all concerns are addressed.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 17, 2026
“Please take your belongings into the hallway, and wait with your parents for just a moment. We’ll confer and then come out to announce the next step. But you all did a sensational job!”
From "Better Nate Than Ever" by Tim Federle
At the heart of the case is the interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment’s Citizenship Clause, which confers citizenship on anyone “born … in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof.”
From Barron's ● Jun. 30, 2026
Consequently, the clause confers on Congress especially broad authority over state electoral systems and makes judicial second-guessing of legislation designed to ensure equal representation for all particularly improper.
From Slate ● Jun. 3, 2026
And while it confers some key benefits — particularly a 2% reward on Costco purchases, delivered annually in the form of a store certificate — it isn’t necessarily a VIP-type program.
From MarketWatch ● Mar. 13, 2026
As the authors note, "The combination of advanced imaging techniques and machine learning confers methodological robustness and contributes significantly to the ongoing scientific discourse on post-viral syndromes."
From Science Daily ● Nov. 13, 2025
“All right, everybody, let’s open our books, because science confers power on anyone who takes the trouble to learn it.”
From "Shine!" by J.J. and Chris Grabenstein
King Charles III conferred royal status on the Port of Barrow for its contribution to national defense.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 14, 2026
Experts told us they were concerned that these rules were open to abuse because of how quickly that status can be conferred.
From BBC ● Apr. 16, 2026
Honorary degrees will also be conferred at the University's summer and winter graduation ceremonies, with recipients including musicians Deacon Blue and Eddi Reader.
From BBC ● Apr. 14, 2026
Our founders didn’t believe that power should rest with one person, and that however much was conferred on the president, it was temporary.
From Salon ● Mar. 29, 2026
Leon conferred with the doctor, leaning toward him to murmur a manly summary of events.
From "Atonement" by Ian McEwan
Then, of course, at the center of it was Louie’s passing and the conferring of dignity to somebody after they’ve died was the theme I wanted to focus on.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026
As the Bank of Southwark went public in Philadelphia, investors hired muscular goons to sign their names into the subscription books conferring the right to buy shares.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 7, 2026
"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
This week, Thailand's King Vajiralongkorn revoked a royal command he had issued in June conferring higher titles to 81 monks.
From BBC ● Jul. 16, 2025
My mom worked herself into a froth all over again, conferring with my tía Gloria on the phone.
From "The Book of Unknown Americans" by Cristina Henríquez
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
