Conferire

Conferire is an Italian verb with two main, related meanings. In its primary sense it means to grant, bestow or award something to someone or something, such as a prize, a diploma, a title or a position. In a second sense, it can mean to consult or discuss with someone, as in conferire con un collega before taking a decision. The verb is typically used in formal or institutional language.

Etymology and usage notes. Conferire derives from Latin conferre, literally “to bring together.” In Italian this idea of bringing together or uniting ideas or authorities underlies both senses: awarding something and coordinating with others. The construction changes according to sense: for awarding, the recipient is usually introduced with a or a specific preposition, for example conferire un premio a una persona, conferire una laurea a un candidato, conferire un titolo a un soggetto. For consultation, the form is conferire con + person or conferire con gli altri.

Conjugation. Conferire is a regular -ire verb with the continental -isc- pattern in the present tense: io conferisco, tu conferisci, lui conferisce, noi conferiamo, voi conferite, loro conferiscono. The participle passato is conferito and the gerund is conferendo. It commonly appears with the auxiliary avere in compound tenses: ho conferito, hai conferito, ha conferito, ecc.

Examples. La giuria ha conferito il premio al progetto innovativo. Prima di decidere, dobbiamo conferire con il comitato. L’università ha conferito la laurea onoraria a due ricercatori.

The term is formal and often found in official, legal or administrative contexts. Synonyms include assegnare, attribuire in specific contexts, while conferire con is the standard way to express consultation.