defer
C1Formal
Definition
Meaning
To put off or delay to a later time; to postpone.
To submit or yield respectfully to the opinion, wishes, or decision of another person or authority.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Two distinct meanings: 1. 'To postpone' (transitive). 2. 'To yield to someone else's judgment' (intransitive, used with 'to'). The latter meaning implies respect and submission to authority or expertise.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both meanings are standard in both varieties. The 'postpone' meaning is slightly more frequent in British corporate/government contexts. The 'yield' meaning is equally common in both.
Connotations
The 'yield' meaning carries a formal, respectful connotation in both varieties. The 'postpone' meaning is neutral but formal.
Frequency
Both meanings are moderately frequent in formal writing and speech in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[SBJ] defer [OBJ] (e.g., We deferred the decision)[SBJ] defer to [OBJ] (e.g., I defer to your superior knowledge)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “defer to someone's better judgement”
- “defer the inevitable”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Common for delayed payments, decisions, or project timelines (e.g., 'defer tax liabilities', 'defer the product launch').
Academic
Used in the sense of yielding to authority or established scholarship (e.g., 'The author defers to Foucault on this point').
Everyday
Less common. Might be used formally (e.g., 'I'll defer to you on where to eat').
Technical
In computing, can refer to delaying an action or process (e.g., 'defer execution of a function').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The council decided to defer the planning application until next quarter.
- On matters of etiquette, I defer to my grandmother.
American English
- The company will defer student loan payments for employees.
- I defer to the committee's recommendation on this issue.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The meeting was deferred until next week.
- You should not defer important tasks.
- They chose to defer their university place for a year to travel.
- In legal matters, I defer to my solicitor's advice.
- The judge deferred sentencing to allow for further psychological reports.
- As a junior researcher, she wisely deferred to her professor's decades of experience.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a DEER (sounds like 'defer') that keeps POSTPONING its jump over a fence, or a deer that YIELDS the path to a larger animal.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A RESOURCE (to defer = to save time for later). AUTHORITY IS A PHYSICAL FORCE (to defer = to bend under that force).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'differ' (отличаться).
- В значении 'откладывать' является более формальным синонимом 'postpone'/'delay'.
- В значении 'подчиняться, уступать' требует предлога 'to' (defer TO someone).
Common Mistakes
- Using without 'to' for the 'yield' meaning (e.g., *'I defer your judgement').
- Confusing spelling/pronunciation with 'differ' or 'refer'.
- Using in overly casual contexts where 'put off' or 'delay' is more natural.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'defer' in the sense of 'to yield respectfully'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Defer' and 'postpone' both imply a deliberate decision to reschedule. 'Defer' is more formal. 'Delay' can be deliberate or accidental and suggests a hold-up.
No. 'Defer' is followed by a direct object when it means 'postpone' (defer a decision). It is followed by 'to' when it means 'yield to someone' (defer to an expert).
It's quite formal. In casual speech, 'put off', 'delay', or 'go along with' are more common for its two meanings.
A payment that is postponed or scheduled for a later date, often as part of a financial agreement.