Defer: meaning, definitions and examples

Typically used in formal settings, often indicating respect for a higher authority or waiting for a more suitable time.

• We will defer to the committee's decision.
• She decided to defer her admission to the university.

Used when rescheduling an event or action to a later time. Usually associated with plans and events.

• The meeting has been postponed until next week.
• They decided to postpone the concert due to the rain.

Used in everyday conversations to indicate a general slowing down or increase in waiting time. Often implies inconvenience or disruption.

• The flight was delayed due to bad weather.
• Don't delay your project; start working on it now.

Informal term commonly used in everyday speech to signify procrastination or avoidance of tasks. Often has negative connotations.

• Don't put off your homework until the last minute.
• He keeps putting off his doctor's appointment.

Used when showing respect to someone's authority or expertise by deciding to follow their advice or decision.

• I will defer to the professor on this topic.
• He deferred the decision until he had more information.

Used when an event or action is rescheduled to a later time or date, typically in a formal or official context.

• The conference has been postponed until next month.
• They decided to postpone the game due to rain.

Used when pushing something to be done later, often due to unforeseen circumstances. It may carry a negative connotation.

• The flight was delayed due to bad weather.
• We must delay the meeting because the documents are not ready.

Used when temporarily stopping an activity or process, often with the intention to resume it later. It can have a sense of formality or seriousness.

• The service was suspended until further notice.
• The company decided to suspend operations due to safety concerns.

Use in formal or academic settings when you want to indicate putting off an action to a later time. Often implies yielding to the judgment of another.

• The committee decided to defer the decision until next week

Suitable for formal or serious contexts, often in professional or organizational settings, where a planned event or activity is scheduled for a later time.

• The company announced the postponement of the meeting

Appropriate for general, everyday use when something is pushed back in time. Can have a slight negative connotation, especially if inconvenience is implied.

• The flight was delayed due to bad weather

Applied in contexts where an activity or operation is temporarily halted, often with the implication that it will resume eventually. Can have a legal or formal connotation.

• The suspension of the construction project was due to environmental concerns