confer

con·fer

verb \kən-ˈfər\

con·ferredcon·fer·ring

Definition of CONFER

intransitive verb

: to compare views or take counsel : consult

transitive verb

1

: to bestow from or as if from a position of superiority <conferred an honorary degree on her> <knowing how to read was a gift conferred with manhood — Murray Kempton>

2

: to give (as a property or characteristic) to someone or something <a reputation for power will confer power — John Spanier>

— con·fer·ment \-ˈfər-mənt\ noun

— con·fer·ra·ble \-ˈfər-ə-bəl\ adjective

— con·fer·ral \-ˈfər-əl\ noun

— con·fer·rer \-ˈfər-ər\ noun

Examples of CONFER

1. The lawyer and judge conferred about the ruling.
2. <the British monarch continues to confer knighthood on those who are outstanding in their fields of endeavor>
3. The cameleers … conferred with each other about the safest path across. —Greg Child, Mixed Emotions: Mountaineering Writings of Greg Child, 1993
4. It was a traditional compliment to be whinged at by an Englishman. It was his way of saying he trusted you, he was conferring upon you the privilege of getting to know the real him. —Margaret Atwood, New Yorker, 5 Mar.1990
5. He liked the ease and glitter of the life, and the lustre conferred on him by being a member of this group of rich and conspicuous people. —Edith Wharton, The House of Mirth, 1905

Origin of CONFER

Latin conferre to bring together, from com- + ferre to carry — more at bear

First Known Use: circa 1500

Related to CONFER

Synonyms

accord, award, grant, vest

Related Words

bestow, contribute, donate, give, present, show; furnish, provide, supply; extend, offer, proffer; allocate, appropriate, assign; appoint, designate, dub, fix, name, set

Near Antonyms

abort, call, call off, drop, recall, repeal, rescind, revoke; abrogate, annul, invalidate, nullify, void, write off; recant, retract, take back, withdraw

See Synonym Discussion at give