What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
endow
Example
The wealthy businessman decided to endow the university with a large sum of money. [endow: verb]
Example
She was endowed with a beautiful singing voice from a young age. [endowed: past participle]
confer
Example
The university will confer degrees upon the graduating class next week. [confer: verb]
Example
I need to confer with my colleagues before making a final decision. [confer: verb]
Example
The company decided to confer a bonus to all employees for their hard work. [confer: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Confer is more commonly used than endow in everyday language, especially in academic or institutional settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between endow and confer?
Confer is more formal than endow and is often used in academic or institutional settings. However, endow can also be used in formal contexts, but it is less common than confer.
