What does bestow mean?
To bestow is to confer or present something formally, most often an honor, gift, title, or blessing, typically upon a person. The verb belongs to formal and ceremonial registers: universities bestow honorary degrees, monarchs bestow knighthoods, and organizations bestow awards. It almost always takes the construction 'bestow something on or upon someone,' and the object conferred is frequently something intangible or symbolic rather than an ordinary physical gift — one does not usually 'bestow' a cup of coffee. The word carries connotations of authority and graciousness, implying that the giver has the standing or power to grant what is being given. Derived forms include the noun 'bestowal' and the participial adjective use of 'bestowed.' Though uncommon in casual conversation, it remains a staple of journalism, literature, and institutional writing wherever formal recognition is described.
To confer or present formally, especially an honor, gift, title, or blessing.
"The academy bestowed its highest honor on the veteran filmmaker."
Typically used in the pattern 'bestow X on/upon Y'; register is formal.
(Archaic or literary) To place, store, or lodge something or someone somewhere.
"They bestowed their belongings in the inn's small upper room."
"Bestow" literally means to "put away" — from Old English "stow" (a place) — so every honor ever bestowed was originally just being put in its place.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of bestow
Bestow comes from Middle English 'bestowen,' formed from the prefix 'be-' plus 'stowen' ('to place'), which derives from Old English 'stōw' meaning a place or spot. Its original literal sense — to place or store something away — survives only in archaic usage, while the figurative sense of conferring an honor developed by the early modern period. The word is thus related to the modern English verb 'stow' and nouns such as 'stowage,' all stemming from the same Germanic root for a place.
Related word forms
How bestow is actually used
Formal to elevated register; rare in everyday speech, where 'give' or 'present' would normally be used. Almost always appears with the pattern 'bestow X on/upon Y', and the recipient is usually a person while the thing bestowed is typically abstract or honorific (a title, blessing, honor, or award).
Easily confused with bestow
Besot means to make someone infatuated or foolishly devoted, while bestow means to confer or give something formally.