Confer: meaning, definitions and examples

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confer

[kənˈfəː ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

academic

To have discussions or exchange opinions on a particular subject, especially in order to reach a decision or agreement.

Synonyms

consult, deliberate, discuss.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
confer	Used in formal or professional settings to discuss something important with someone. The board members will confer with the CEO before making a decision The doctors need to confer about the patient's treatment plan
consult	Usually used when seeking advice or information from someone who is knowledgeable or experienced. I need to consult a lawyer about my contract Before making any changes, he decided to consult with his mentor
discuss	Commonly used in everyday conversation to talk about a topic in detail with someone. Let's discuss our plans for the weekend They will discuss the project's progress in the meeting
deliberate	Often used in legal or formal contexts where careful and lengthy consideration is required. The jury needs to deliberate on the verdict The council will deliberate on the new policy for hours

Examples of usage

We need to confer with our colleagues before making a decision.
The committee will confer about the new proposal tomorrow.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

official

To grant or bestow a title, degree, or honor upon someone.

Synonyms

award, bestow, grant.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
confer	Typically used in formal or academic settings to imply a discussion or deliberation that leads to giving a degree, title, or honor. The university will confer degrees to the graduating students The committee will confer with the board before making a final decision
bestow	Often used in formal or literary contexts to denote giving an honor, gift, or title in a solemn or respectful manner. The queen bestowed knighthood upon the brave soldier The foundation bestowed him with a humanitarian award
grant	Primarily used in contexts where official permission, funding, or requests are approved or provided. The government granted the project additional funds She was granted permission to travel to the project site
award	Used in contexts where a prize, compensation, or certificate is given as a recognition of achievement or merit. She was awarded the Employee of the Year trophy for her hard work The judge awarded the winner with a cash prize

Examples of usage

The university will confer an honorary degree on the distinguished professor.
The king will confer knighthood on the brave soldier.

^{Context #3 | Noun}

academic

A formal meeting for discussion or consultation.

Synonyms

consultation, discussion, meeting.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
confer	Used when someone is having a formal discussion or exchanging ideas or information on a serious matter, often in a professional or academic setting. The scientists conferred about the latest research findings. The board members conferred on the company's financial strategy.
meeting	Used for a gathering of people for the purpose of discussing a topic or resolving an issue, can be either formal or informal in a variety of contexts. We have a team meeting every Monday morning. The town held a public meeting to address community concerns.
discussion	A general term used for an exchange of ideas, opinions, or information between people. It can be either formal or informal. They had a lively discussion about the new book. The discussion on climate change was very insightful.
consultation	Appropriate when discussing a formal or professional meeting where advice, views, or information are offered and received, often in medical, business, or legal contexts. She scheduled a consultation with the doctor to discuss her symptoms. The company paid for a consultation with a legal advisor.

Examples of usage

The conference was followed by a series of smaller group conferences.
She attended a confer on climate change organized by the university.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'confer' comes from the Latin 'conferre,' meaning 'to bring together' or 'to discuss.'
In English, 'confer' has been used since the late 14th century, originally meaning ‘to bring together’ ideas.
The prefix 'con-' means 'together,' while 'fer' comes from 'ferre,' which means 'to carry' or 'to bring.'

Academic Usage

In academia, 'confer' is often used in the context of granting degrees during graduation ceremonies.
Scholars frequently 'confer' with each other in academic conferences to share research and ideas.
The phrase 'confer a degree' implies that a person has met certain criteria and is recognized by an institution.

Legal Context

In legal terms, 'confer' can refer to the granting of rights or powers from one entity to another.
Legal documents often include the phrase 'confer jurisdiction,' meaning to grant the authority to make legal decisions.
When a judge 'confers' with lawyers, it means they are discussing cases or legal matters privately.

Cultural Significance

In many cultures, 'conferencing' is vital for leadership gatherings, decision-making, and community planning.
Council meetings, or 'conferences,' historically serve as frameworks for discussing governance among local leaders.
The concept of 'confer' is prevalent in the business world, where teams regularly meet to strategize and innovate.

Literature

Authors frequently depict characters 'confer' to highlight their relationships, conflicts, or resolutions in stories.
The act of 'conferring' is essential to storytelling, as it reveals motives and develops plots through dialogue.
In classical literature, characters often gather to 'confer' before significant events, shaping the narrative's direction.

Translations

Translations of the word "confer" in other languages:

🇵🇹 conferir

🇮🇳 परामर्श करना

🇩🇪 beraten

🇮🇩 memberikan

🇺🇦 консультуватися

🇵🇱 przyznawać

🇯🇵 授与する (じゅよする)

🇫🇷 conférer

🇪🇸 conferir

🇹🇷 vermek

🇰🇷 수여하다

🇸🇦 منح

🇨🇿 udělit

🇸🇰 udeliť

🇨🇳 授予

🇸🇮 podeliti

🇮🇸 veita

🇰🇿 беру

🇬🇪 მინიჭება

🇦🇿 vermək

🇲🇽 conferir

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,782 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

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6779 hiring
6780 militia
6781 exercising
6782 confer
6783 implements
6784 amending
6785 recruitment
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