Confer
/kənˈfɜːr/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo grant or bestow something, usually a title, degree, benefit, or right.
/kənˈfɜːr/
To grant or bestow (a title, degree, benefit, or right).
The Queen will confer knighthoods to deserving citizens.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're giving someone a special prize or award. Confer is like saying you're giving them that honor officially. For example, a school might confer a diploma to a student who graduates.
👶 For kids: To give something important to someone, like a prize or a special title.
More Examples
The university conferred a PhD upon her for her groundbreaking research.
The legislation confers new rights to citizens.
How It's Used
"The university will confer honorary degrees on several distinguished alumni."
"The power to declare war is conferred upon Congress by the Constitution."
To engage in a discussion or consultation; to consult together.
/kənˈfɜːr/
To have a discussion; consult together.
The team will confer about the project's progress.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're having a meeting with someone to talk about something important. Confer is like having that discussion or sharing ideas. For example, before making an important decision, you might confer with your colleagues.
👶 For kids: To talk and share ideas with someone to make a decision.
More Examples
The lawyers conferred privately before the trial.
I need to confer with my advisor before I make a decision about my major.
How It's Used
"The board will confer before making a final decision."
"The doctors conferred about the patient's diagnosis."
Idioms & expressions
Confer with
To consult or discuss with someone.
"Before making any big purchases, I always confer with my spouse."
From Latin *conferre* meaning 'to bring together, compare,' from *con-* (together) + *ferre* (to carry, bear).
Historically, 'confer' has been used in both senses (grant and discuss) since the 16th century, with the 'grant' sense appearing slightly earlier.
Memory tip
Think of a king CONFERring a knighthood on a knight: he GIVES the title.
Word Origin
"to bring together, compare"