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.
Origin of confer
1400–50 for earlier sense “to summon”; 1520–30 for current senses; late Middle English conferen<Latin conferre to bring together, compare, consult with, equivalent to con-con- + ferre to carry, bear1
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.un·con·ferred,adjectivewell-con·ferred,adjective
Words nearby confer
Confederate Memorial Day, Confederate States of America, Confederate War, confederation, confederative, confer, conferee, conference, conference call, Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe, Conference pear
The teams conferred with one another as they drafted their respective documents.
Why kids need special protection from AI’s influence|Karen Hao|September 17, 2020|MIT Technology Review
An omnipresent subjecthood confers onto the natural world the characteristics of a psyche.
What the Meadow Teaches Us - Issue 90: Something Green|Andreas Weber|September 16, 2020|Nautilus
More quietly, however, other scientists are investigating whether a vaccine that has already been in use for decades could also confer some level of protection.
‘Trained Immunity’ Offers Hope in Fight Against Coronavirus|Esther Landhuis|September 14, 2020|Quanta Magazine
Gene losses in evolution may sound like damaging events, since genes confer the traits that make life and health possible.
By Losing Genes, Life Often Evolved More Complexity|Viviane Callier|September 1, 2020|Quanta Magazine
“We can’t rely on chemistry to spray our way out of this,” Goodman, a chemist himself, said as the commissioners conferred after the public’s comments.
Genetically modified mosquitoes have been OK’d for a first U.S. test flight|Susan Milius|August 22, 2020|Science News
Colleges churn out graduates and confer advanced degrees, but the scramble for jobs continues.
How Young People Are Destroying Liberty|James Poulos|October 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Now Hunter wanted to confer an honorary doctorate on me, and I needed to find the words to properly convey how honored I felt.
A College Degree Worth the Wait|Eleanor Clift|June 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A commercial transaction does not confer ethical approbation on a customer.
How ‘Religious Freedom’ Is Hurting Everyone’s Freedom|Robert Shrum|March 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He then tells Bilal to confer with his brother Burak, his sister Sumeyye and other relatives.
Does Alleged Corruption Video Spell the End Of Turkey’s Erdogan?|Thomas Seibert|February 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I confer with editors at ESPN.com every week about the next week.
Opening Day 2013: How to Write About Baseball in the Big Leagues|Noah Charney|March 31, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Then the chief stepped back "to confer with the old women—the real arbiters of savage war."
Following the Equator, Complete|Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens)
For to give the child its ignorance is to confer a great boon; to make it capable of something in life.
Discourses of Keidansky|Bernard G. Richards
I can not say how full of acknowledgements every one amongst us is for ye favr you confer'd upon one of their society.
Lord Chatham|Archibald Phillip Primrose Rosebery
That all come only for the material benefits you confer, I do not believe.
An American Four-In-Hand in Britain|Andrew Carnegie
I took occasion at a reception at the royal palace to confer suitable honors and rewards on my victorious generals.
The Goddess of Atvatabar|William R. Bradshaw
British Dictionary definitions for confer
confer
/ (kənˈfɜː) /
verb-fers, -ferringor-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