Confer Meaning
/kənˈfʌɹ/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
verbTo grant as a possession; to bestow.
verbTo talk together, to consult, discuss; to collogue.
Sentence Examples
If you have some troubles, I recommend you confer with him.
I must confer with my colleagues on the matter.
He wanted to confer with his colleagues before reaching a decision.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The lawyers will ____ with the client before deciding on the plea.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The committee will ____ an honorary degree upon the scientist for his groundbreaking research.
Word Origin & History
From Early Modern English conferre, from Middle French conférer, from Old French conferer, from Latin cōnferō. Compare Dutch confereren, German konferieren, Danish konferere, Swedish konferera. Doublet of collate. See also infer, relate and refer, delate and defer, as well as prelate and prefer among others.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Nor shall I count in hainous to enjoy
The public marks of honour and reward
Conferr'd upon me[…]"
— 1671, John Milton, Samson Agonistes:
"Abel tried to refuse the honor thus unexpectedly conferred upon him, but it was no use. He had been made a deacon, and a deacon he must remain."
— 1850, T. S. Arthur, “Deacon Smith and his Violin”, in Sketches of Life and Character, Philadelphia: J. W. Bradley, →OCLC, page 76:
"Referring to the "hero of the day," No. 92220, Mr. Hanks acceded that she was not of the Great Western breed, but they had done their best to make up for that by "dollying her up in good old Western colours and conferring upon her the finest honour we can—the halo or crown of Swindon, the copper top to her chimney.""
— 1960 May 26, “Evening Star”, in Railway Magazine, page 307, referring to a new steam locomotive, the last built for British Railways:
"The special immunities that are conferred on MPs were framed with the essential purpose of allowing them to speak freely in parliament."
— 2010 February 7, Andrew Rawnsley, The Observer:
"The mere existence of a dictionary of a certain variety of English does not automatically confer acceptance of that variety."
— 2014, James Lambert, “Diachronic stability in Indian English lexis”, in World Englishes, page 114:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The lawyers will ____ with the client before deciding on the plea.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The committee will ____ an honorary degree upon the scientist for his groundbreaking research.