bestow

/bɪˈstəʊ/ (bre, ipa) · /bɪˈstəʊ/ (ame, ipa) · /bi-ˈstō bē-/ (ame, mw)

bestow — verb

1. to formally give a person something valuable — such as an award, a title, or a s

1.動詞及物C2
釋義

to formally give a person something valuable — such as an award, a title, or a special quality — usually as a way of marking respect or recognising what they have done.

例句

The university bestowed an honorary doctorate on the retired judge at the spring ceremony.

bestow + thing + on + recipient (formal honour)

Queen Margrethe bestowed a knighthood upon the explorer who mapped the Arctic ice fields.

bestow + thing + upon + recipient (literary register)

同義詞
  • confer

    near-synonym in formal/legal contexts; 'confer a degree on' is interchangeable with 'bestow'.

  • grant

    neutral register; emphasises permission or right rather than honour.

  • award

    implies a prize earned through merit or competition, often after a decision.

  • present

    ceremonial handover, but lighter than 'bestow' and used for medals, certificates, flowers.

反義詞
  • withhold

    to deliberately not give something that could be given.

  • deny

    to refuse to grant something that was requested.

文法句型

bestow + something + on/upon + somebody

用法筆記

Object is usually something prestigious or carefully chosen — an honour, title, award, gift, blessing, or quality — never an ordinary item you might hand over in daily life. The recipient is introduced by 'on' or, more literary, 'upon'. Frequently appears in the passive ('was bestowed on…').

常見錯誤

❌My friend bestowed me a coffee.
✅My friend gave me a coffee.
💡'bestow' is reserved for formal or ceremonial giving, not everyday transactions.
❌The committee bestowed the prize to the winner.
✅The committee bestowed the prize on the winner.
💡the recipient takes 'on' or 'upon', never 'to'.