Confer Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐ค
confer
[kษnหfษห ]
Definitions
academic
To have discussions or exchange opinions on a particular subject, especially in order to reach a decision or agreement.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
Word | Description / Examples |
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confer |
Used in formal or professional settings to discuss something important with someone.
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consult |
Usually used when seeking advice or information from someone who is knowledgeable or experienced.
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discuss |
Commonly used in everyday conversation to talk about a topic in detail with someone.
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deliberate |
Often used in legal or formal contexts where careful and lengthy consideration is required.
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Examples of usage
- We need to confer with our colleagues before making a decision.
- The committee will confer about the new proposal tomorrow.
official
To grant or bestow a title, degree, or honor upon someone.
Synonyms
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.
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bestow |
Often used in formal or literary contexts to denote giving an honor, gift, or title in a solemn or respectful manner.
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grant |
Primarily used in contexts where official permission, funding, or requests are approved or provided.
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award |
Used in contexts where a prize, compensation, or certificate is given as a recognition of achievement or merit.
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Examples of usage
- The university will confer an honorary degree on the distinguished professor.
- The king will confer knighthood on the brave soldier.
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.
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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.
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discussion |
A general term used for an exchange of ideas, opinions, or information between people. It can be either formal or informal.
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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.
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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.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
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.
Origin of 'confer'
Main points about word origin
- 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 โto bring togetherโ ideas.
- The prefix 'con-' means 'together,' while 'fer' comes from 'ferre,' which means 'to carry' or 'to bring.'
The word 'confer' originated from the Latin word 'conferre', which means 'to bring together'. It first appeared in English in the 16th century. Initially, it was used mainly in academic contexts to refer to discussions and consultations. Over time, the word's usage expanded to include the granting of titles and honors. Today, 'confer' is widely used in both academic and official settings to indicate discussions, consultations, and the bestowal of titles.
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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