confer
To discuss something with other people in order to reach a decision or exchange ideas. It can also mean to officially give an honor, title, or degree to someone.
Examples
3 of 5I need to confer with my family before I decide to take the job.
I need to talk to my family before I decide to take the job.
The President will confer a medal of honor upon the brave soldier.
The President will give a medal of honor to the brave soldier.
Let me confer with my friends to see what they want to eat.
Let me check with my friends to see what they want to eat.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of a 'Conference.' A conference is a big meeting where many people 'confer' or talk to each other.
Quick Quiz
The manager needs to ___ with the team before signing the contract.
Correct!
The correct answer is: confer
Examples
I need to confer with my family before I decide to take the job.
everydayI need to talk to my family before I decide to take the job.
The President will confer a medal of honor upon the brave soldier.
formalThe President will give a medal of honor to the brave soldier.
Let me confer with my friends to see what they want to eat.
informalLet me check with my friends to see what they want to eat.
The university will confer degrees upon the graduating students next week.
academicThe university will give degrees to the graduating students next week.
The board of directors met to confer about the new company strategy.
businessThe board of directors met to discuss the new company strategy.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
confer upon
to give something (like an award) to someone
confer with counsel
to talk with a lawyer
time to confer
time needed to discuss and decide
Often Confused With
Confess means to admit you did something wrong; confer means to discuss or give an honor.
Confirm means to check if something is true; confer means to talk things over.
Usage Notes
Use 'confer with' when you are talking to someone to make a choice. Use 'confer [something] on/upon' when an authority is giving a title or gift.
Common Mistakes
Don't forget the 'with' when talking about a discussion. For example, say 'I conferred with him,' not 'I conferred him.'
Memory Tip
Think of a 'Conference.' A conference is a big meeting where many people 'confer' or talk to each other.
Word Origin
From the Latin 'conferre', which means 'to bring together' (com- 'together' + ferre 'to bring').
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
This word is very common in graduation ceremonies at universities when the dean grants degrees.
Quick Quiz
The manager needs to ___ with the team before signing the contract.
Correct!
The correct answer is: confer
Related Vocabulary
A conversation or debate about a specific topic where people...
diplomaA formal document issued by an educational institution, such...
awardA formal prize or mark of recognition given in honor of an a...
meetingA meeting is an event where a group of people come together...
dialogueA conversation between two or more people, particularly in a...
Related Words
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microdoccide
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micromortious
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underpeline
C1To provide a strong foundational support or to reinforce the underlying structure of an argument, theory, or physical entity. It describes the act of strengthening the core elements that hold a complex system or idea together to ensure stability.
misdictious
C1To communicate or record verbal information inaccurately, specifically by confusing similar-sounding words or misinterpreting dictated instructions. It is primarily used in technical or test-based contexts to describe a failure in precise verbal transmission.
proscriber
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triprehendful
C1A triprehendful refers to a specific quantity of complex information or a situation that requires three distinct perspectives or levels of analysis to be fully grasped. It describes an amount of data or conceptual difficulty that is multifaceted and cannot be simplified into a binary explanation.
adcedency
C1Adcedency refers to the state of rising to or holding a position of dominant power, influence, or governing authority. It describes the condition of being in control or having a superior status over others in a specific hierarchy or field.
postdynery
C1To engage in the practice of lingering at a table after a meal has concluded to enjoy conversation and social bonding. This verb describes the transition from the physical act of eating to the intellectual or social act of communal reflection.
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