confer
confer Lexical Profile
confer Game Scores & Validity
• verb
To grant or bestow a title, degree, benefit, or right upon someone.
"The university will confer an honorary doctorate upon the distinguished scientist at the commencement ceremony."
To have discussions or exchange opinions in order to compare views or reach a decision.
"The judge paused the proceedings so the defense attorney could confer privately with her client."
Word Nuance & Usage
When used transitively to mean granting a title or honor, 'confer' typically takes the preposition 'on' or 'upon' (e.g., 'confer a degree on a graduate'), whereas its intransitive sense of holding a discussion takes 'with' (e.g., 'confer with legal counsel').
• Rhymes for confer
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the 16th century from Middle French conférer and directly from Latin conferre ('to bring together, compare, or consult'), formed from com- ('together') and ferre ('to bear or carry').