Bestow Definition and Meaning
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on March 5, 2024
Bestow means to give or present as a gift or honor. e.g., The king decided to bestow the title of knight upon the brave warrior.
Table of Contents
Bestow Definitions
To confer or present an honor, right, or gift.
The university will bestow honorary degrees on two distinguished individuals.
To impart, as qualities or virtues.
Nature has bestowed the region with rich biodiversity.
To place or put something somewhere.
He bestowed his trust in his close friend.
To accord or grant someone a title, degree, or right.
The organization bestowed the award for excellence in science.
To give as a gift or grant.
The philanthropist decided to bestow a large donation to the charity.
To invest with a power or quality.
The new software bestows the ability to process data faster.
To endow with a particular quality, ability, or asset.
The scholarship is bestowed upon students who demonstrate exceptional talent.
To apply or dedicate for a purpose.
Time and effort were bestowed in creating the masterpiece.
To provide or supply in abundance.
The garden bestows a variety of flowers each spring.
To present as a gift or an honor; confer
Bestowed high praise on the winners.
To apply; use
"On Hester Prynne's story ... I bestowed much thought" (Nathaniel Hawthorne).
To place or stow
"He bestowed [the money] in his pockets with feigned composure" (James Joyce).
To store or house.
To apply or make use of (someone or something); to employ, to use.
To apply (money) for some purpose; to expend, to spend.
Lay out
To impart (something) gratuitously; to present (something) to someone or something, especially as a gift or an honour; to confer, to give.
Medals were bestowed on the winning team.
(archaic)
To place or put (someone or something) somewhere or in a certain situation; to dispose of.
To deposit (something) for safekeeping; to lay up (something) in store; to stow.
To provide (someone or oneself) with accommodation; to find quarters for (someone or oneself); to lodge, to quarter.
(obsolete)
(reflexive) To behave or conduct (oneself); to acquit.
To give (someone or oneself) in marriage.
An act of presenting a thing to someone or something, especially as a gift or an honour; a bestowal.
To lay up in store; to deposit for safe keeping; to stow; to place; to put.
See that the women are bestowed in safety.
To use; to apply; to devote, as time or strength in some occupation.
To expend, as money.
To give or confer; to impart; - with on or upon.
Empire is on us bestowed.
Though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor.
To give in marriage.
I could have bestowed her upon a fine gentleman.
To demean; to conduct; to behave; - followed by a reflexive pronoun.
How might we see Falstaff bestow himself to-night in his true colors, and not ourselves be seen ?
Present;
The university conferred a degree on its most famous former student, who never graduated
Bestow an honor on someone
Give as a gift
Bestow a quality on;
Her presence lends a certain cachet to the company
The music added a lot to the play
She brings a special atmosphere to our meetings
This adds a light note to the program
To adorn or decorate.
The designer bestowed the room with elegant furnishings.
Bestow Snonyms
Grant
Agree to give or allow (something requested) to.
The foundation granted her a scholarship for her studies.
Donate
Give (money or goods) for a good cause, for example to a charity.
They donate to the children's hospital every year.
Confer
Grant or bestow (a title, degree, benefit, or right).
The university conferred upon her an honorary degree.
Present
Give something to (someone) formally or ceremonially.
The mayor will present the award to the hero.
Allocate
Distribute (resources or duties) for a particular purpose.
Funds were allocated for the new building project.
Award
Give or order the giving of (something) as an official payment, compensation, or prize to (someone).
He was awarded the medal of honor for his bravery.
Give
Freely transfer the possession of (something) to (someone); hand over to.
They give their time to help others in need.
Endow
Give or bequeath an income or property to (a person or institution).
He endowed the college with a large sum of money.
Impart
Make (information) known; communicate.
The teacher imparts wisdom and knowledge to her students.
Furnish
Provide (a house or room) with furniture and fittings.
The apartment is furnished with modern appliances.
Bestow Idioms & Phrases
Bestow the title of
To grant someone a specific title or designation as a form of recognition.
The university decided to bestow the title of Emeritus Professor on the retiring faculty member.
Bestow upon with grace
To give something generously and with kindness.
The queen decided to bestow upon the hero with grace, awarding him a medal of valor.
Bestow with honor
To give a reward or title as a mark of respect.
The community decided to bestow the firefighter with honor for his bravery during the rescue.
Bestow in abundance
To give generously and in large quantities.
Nature seemed to bestow in abundance this year, with the harvest being exceptionally bountiful.
Bestow upon a blessing
To give a blessing or express a wish for happiness or well-being.
The priest chose to bestow upon the couple a blessing on their wedding day.
Bestow without reservation
To give freely and without hesitation.
He decided to bestow his trust upon her without reservation, believing in her integrity.
Bestow upon the deserving
To give or award something specifically to those who have earned it.
The scholarships were to bestow upon the deserving students who excelled academically.
Bestow a sense of
To instill or impart a particular feeling or quality to someone.
The award ceremony aimed to bestow a sense of pride among the winners.
Bestow for a purpose
To give something with a specific intent or objective in mind.
The grant was bestowed for a purpose, aiming to support research in renewable energy.
Bestow the gift of knowledge
To provide someone with education or learning as a generous act.
The mentor aimed to bestow the gift of knowledge upon her protégés, ensuring their future success.
Bestow upon request
To grant something as a response to a plea or application.
The king would only bestow the lands upon request if the petitioner showed true loyalty.
Bestow at one's discretion
To give something according to one's judgment or preference.
The funds were to be bestowed at the manager's discretion, used where they were needed most.
Bestow with care
To give something attentively and considerately.
She chose to bestow her handmade gifts with care, ensuring each was perfect.
Bestow a legacy
To leave something valuable or significant to someone as a legacy.
The philanthropist aimed to bestow a legacy of charitable works for future generations.
Bestow the right to
To grant someone the authority or permission to do something.
The new law aimed to bestow the right to vote to every citizen over the age of 18.
Bestow upon a cause
To give support or resources to a particular cause or mission.
Many celebrities choose to bestow upon a cause that is close to their hearts.
Bestow as a gesture
To give something as a sign or expression of a particular sentiment.
The company chose to bestow bonuses as a gesture of appreciation for the hard work.
Bestow Example Sentences
They decided to bestow the community leader with a lifetime achievement award.
He was honored to be bestowed with such a prestigious medal.
The foundation bestowed grants to several innovative startups.
The ancient artifact was bestowed upon the museum for preservation.
Generously, she bestowed her old books on the local library.
They bestowed upon her the responsibility of leading the project.
The land bestowed its inhabitants with fertile soil for farming.
Wisdom is often bestowed through life's experiences.
The crown was bestowed upon the new king during the coronation.
The power to heal was bestowed upon the ancient artifact.
The queen bestowed knighthood on the brave knight.
She felt honored to have such trust bestowed upon her.
The mentor bestowed valuable advice to his protégé.
The award is bestowed annually to the most promising athlete.
The artist bestowed his collection to the national gallery.
Common Curiosities
How do we divide bestow into syllables?
"Bestow" is divided into syllables as "be-stow."
What is a stressed syllable in bestow?
The stressed syllable in "bestow" is the second one: -stow.
What is the first form of bestow?
The first form (present tense) of "bestow" is "bestow."
What is the pronunciation of bestow?
Bestow is pronounced as /bɪˈstoʊ/.
What is the third form of bestow?
The third form (past participle) of "bestow" is "bestowed."
How many syllables are in bestow?
There are two syllables in "bestow."
How is bestow used in a sentence?
Example: "The university decided to bestow an honorary degree upon the distinguished guest."
Why is it called bestow?
"Bestow" comes from Middle English, combining "be-" (about) and "stow" (to place), meaning to confer or give as a gift or honor.
What is the root word of bestow?
The root words are "be-" and "stow."
What is the plural form of bestow?
As a verb, "bestow" does not change form for plural subjects.
Is bestow an adverb?
No, "bestow" is not an adverb.
What is the singular form of bestow?
"Bestow" remains the same in singular form as it is a verb.
What is the opposite of bestow?
The opposite of "bestow" could be "withhold" or "take away."
Is bestow a countable noun?
"Bestow" is not a noun; it's a verb.
Is the word bestow imperative?
"Bestow" can be used in the imperative mood, as in "Bestow upon them your blessings."
Is the word bestow Gerund?
The gerund form of "bestow" is "bestowing."
Which vowel is used before bestow?
The use of a vowel before "bestow" depends on the context of the sentence.
What is the verb form of bestow?
"Bestow" itself is the verb form.
Is bestow a vowel or consonant?
The word "bestow" starts with a consonant.
Is bestow a collective noun?
"Bestow" is not a noun, so it cannot be a collective noun.
What is the second form of bestow?
The second form (simple past tense) of "bestow" is "bestowed."
Is bestow a negative or positive word?
"Bestow" is generally a positive word, implying the giving of something valuable or honorable.
Is the bestow term a metaphor?
"Bestow" can be used metaphorically to imply giving or conferring something non-material, like honor or rights.
Which article is used with bestow?
Articles such as "the," "a," or "an" may be used with the objects of "bestow" rather than with "bestow" itself.
Is the word “bestow” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
In a sentence, "bestow" is a verb that typically requires a direct object (what is being given) and may also have an indirect object (to whom it is given).
Which determiner is used with bestow?
Determiners are not typically used directly with "bestow" itself but may be used with its objects.
Which conjunction is used with bestow?
Conjunctions like "and," "but," or "or" can be used in sentences with "bestow," depending on the structure.
What part of speech is bestow?
"Bestow" is a verb.
What is another term for bestow?
Another term for "bestow" is "grant" or "confer."
Is bestow a noun or adjective?
"Bestow" is a verb.
Is bestow an abstract noun?
"Bestow" is a verb, not a noun.
Which preposition is used with bestow?
"Upon" or "on" are commonly used prepositions with "bestow."
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
