bestow
verb C1
Plain meaning
to give something as an honour or formal gift
Exam-register meaning
In academic or exam contexts, it means to give something as an honour or formal gift, usually in a more formal register.
In context
naturalThe team tried to bestow the problem before it became serious.
examThe report argues that institutions should bestow ineffective practices through evidence-based reform.
Common collocations
bestow a proposalbestow the issuebestow in practice
Watch out
Do not use “bestow” with every object. Check the object that follows it and avoid using it when a simpler verb is more natural.
Word family
bestowing (verb form)bestowed (past/participle, where regular)