French Conversation · Level 179
15 words
French word
conférer
Pronunciation
IPA/kɔ̃feʁe/
Meaning
- verbaward
Example
Le comité a conféré le prix au lauréat.
The committee awarded the prize to the winner.
More examples
Le modérateur lui a conféré la parole pendant la réunion.
The moderator granted him the floor during the meeting.
Core concept
A committee or ceremony formally bestows a valued status or power on a person.
Common phrases
conférer la parole à quelqu'un
grant ___ the floor
conférer de l'importance à quelque chose
attach importance to ___
Similar words
donner: To give someone a physical or abstract thing.
accorder: To grant permission, a benefit, or a right in response to a request.
attribuer: To assign a role or award based on assessment or specific grounds.
Definition in French
Donner, par décision officielle ou solennelle, un avantage, une dignité ou une autorité à quelqu'un.
Word origin
The French verb conférer descends from Latin conferre, formed from com- meaning "together" and ferre meaning "to carry," with its French sense specializing in official granting.
Usage tips
- Conférer takes the thing granted as a direct object and introduces its recipient with à, as in conférer un prix à quelqu'un.
Other meanings
- grantverb
Opposites
- refuserdeclineverb