deferment
C1Formal, Official, Legal
Definition
Meaning
The act of delaying or postponing something, especially officially.
An official authorization to delay or postpone an obligation, such as military service, a payment, or a decision, for a specified period.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a formal or sanctioned delay, often granted by an authority. It is not a casual postponement but a structured one, typically involving applications and approvals.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or grammatical differences. Both use the same spelling and core meaning.
Connotations
In both varieties, strongly associated with institutional processes (e.g., loans, military).
Frequency
Broadly similar frequency in formal contexts. Slightly more common in American English in the context of student loans.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
deferment of [OBLIGATION/ACTION]deferment on [LOAN/PAYMENT]deferment for [REASON/PERSON]deferment until [DATE/TIME]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms; used as a standard noun.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used for delayed loan repayments or project timelines. 'The bank approved a six-month deferment on the loan.'
Academic
Used for postponing studies or submission deadlines. 'She took a deferment of her PhD programme for health reasons.'
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. Might be used for official bill payments or jury duty. 'I'm applying for a deferment on my council tax.'
Technical
Used in finance for payment holidays, or in military/legal contexts for conscription or court dates.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The bank agreed to defer the student loan repayments.
American English
- They decided to defer the project launch until next quarter.
adverb
British English
- The decision was made deferentially, respecting his seniority.
American English
- She listened deferentially to the judge's instructions.
adjective
British English
- The deferred payment plan was a relief.
American English
- He has a deferred admission to the university.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He asked for a deferment of his military service.
- The company allowed a deferment of the payment.
- Her application for a student loan deferment was approved for one year.
- The court granted a deferment of the hearing until new evidence could be gathered.
- The new legislation allows for a tax deferment on investments in green technology.
- After securing a deferment on his conscription, he was able to complete his medical degree.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: DE-FER-MENT. To DE-FER means to delay. A deferMENT is the official result or document of that delay.
Conceptual Metaphor
OBLIGATION/ACTION IS A MOVING OBJECT (it can be pushed further down the road/time).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not 'отсрочка' in all contexts. While it's the primary equivalent, Russian 'отсрочка' can be more colloquial (e.g., 'дать отсрочку' for a simple delay). 'Deferment' is more formal. Don't confuse with 'отложить' (verb) or 'задержка' (delay, often involuntary).
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'defferment' (double 'f'). Using it as a verb (e.g., 'I will deferment the payment' - incorrect). Confusing it with 'referment'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'deferment' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Deferment is a temporary delay. Cancellation is the permanent termination of an obligation.
It is primarily a formal, administrative term. In informal speech, 'delay' or 'postponement' are more common.
Both are types of payment relief. Deferment often implies interest may not accrue on certain loans (e.g., federal student loans). Forbearance is when payments are paused or reduced, but interest typically continues to accrue.
The verb is 'to defer'. 'Deferment' is the noun form meaning the act or instance of deferring.
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