Meaning & use

confer

verb·Academic

To discuss something with others in order to exchange opinions or reach a decision.

See it in a sentence

The lawyers conferred privately before presenting their final offer to the other side.

Teachers conferred with parents about the best way to support the struggling student.

A note on using this word

Confer meaning to discuss is followed by with, as in confer with colleagues, and should not be confused with confer meaning to grant.

Words with a similar meaning

consultdeliberatediscuss

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Another way to use it

2. verb

To formally give a title, degree, right, or benefit to someone.

The university will confer honorary degrees on three scientists this spring.

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