What does confer mean?
The verb 'confer' carries two distinct but historically connected meanings in English. Its more everyday sense is to hold a discussion — to talk things over with another person or group in order to exchange ideas, weigh options, or reach a decision, as when colleagues confer before finalising a plan or a patient's family confers with doctors. Its second, more ceremonial sense is to formally grant something: universities confer degrees, governments confer honours, and legal systems confer rights or citizenship. Both senses are markedly formal in register, appearing in academic, professional, diplomatic, and institutional contexts rather than casual conversation. The word derives from Latin 'conferre', meaning 'to bring together', which neatly captures both uses — bringing people's minds together in consultation, or bringing an honour onto a recipient. Related English words sharing this Latin root include conference, defer, refer, and differ. Because of its formality and its dual meaning, 'confer' lends writing a tone of authority and deliberation.
verbTo confer is to discuss something with others in order to exchange views, seek advice, or reach a decision; it can also mean to grant an honour, degree, or right upon someone.
- To discuss or deliberate with others in order to consult, advise, or make a decision (often followed by 'with').
- To grant or bestow an honour, title, degree, benefit, or right upon someone (usually 'on' or 'upon' the recipient).
"The committee conferred at length before approving the proposal."
"She conferred with her attorney before signing the contract."
"The university conferred honorary degrees on three distinguished scientists."
The Latin root 'ferre' — 'to carry' — lives inside confer: conferring literally meant 'carrying together' your thoughts with others.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of confer
Confer comes from the Latin verb 'conferre', formed from the prefix 'com-' ('together') and 'ferre' ('to bear, carry'), so it originally meant 'to bring together'. It entered English in the 16th century, initially carrying both the sense of comparing or discussing things brought together and that of bestowing something. The same Latin root produced a family of English words including conference, defer, refer, transfer, and differ.
Related word forms
How confer is actually used
Both senses are formal. The discussion sense typically takes 'with' (confer with someone), while the granting sense takes 'on/upon' plus a recipient and is common in ceremonial contexts such as graduations and awards.
Easily confused with confer
'Confer' means to discuss or to bestow something, while 'infer' means to deduce a conclusion from evidence.