If you confer with someone, it is entirely possible that you will be seeking advice, but you could also simply be having a discussion (“they conferred privately before making a decision”).

conferred, conferring to consult together; compare opinions; carry on a discussion or deliberation.

Definition of confer verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

1. To bestow (an honor, for example): conferred a medal on the hero. 2. To invest with (a characteristic, for example): a carefully worded statement that conferred an aura of credibility.

They conferred an element of permanence: the small businessman was always around, he generally lived in the same district as he worked.

Many uses of the verb confer involve consulting with another person or as a group. Confer has a second use meaning "bestow," which means to award or hand over something. You can confer a medal on a …

Yet even in his absence, the knowledge of Robert's steady love had conferred upon her a sense of life's consistency.

compare ideas or opinions:[no object; sometimes: ~ + on + object] We conferred for a moment and returned to the discussion. to give as a gift, honor, etc., to someone:[~ + object + on + object] to …

The lawyer and judge conferred about the ruling. I'll confer with [= consult] my wife and let you know what we decide. The university will confer an honorary degree on the governor. The law conferred …