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Deferentially: meaning, definitions and examples

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deferentially

 

[ ˌdefəˈrenʃəli ]

Adverb
Context #1 | Adverb

in a respectful and polite manner

Showing deference or respect; respectful; courteous.

Synonyms

courteously, politely, respectfully

Examples of usage

  • He smiled deferentially at the elderly lady.
  • She nodded deferentially to her boss.
  • The waiter spoke deferentially to the customers.
Context #2 | Adverb

in a way that shows submission or yielding to another's authority

In a manner that acknowledges the superiority of another; submissively.

Synonyms

compliantly, obediently, submissively

Examples of usage

  • He lowered his head deferentially before the king.
  • The employees bowed deferentially to the CEO.
  • She followed his instructions deferentially.

Translations

Translations of the word "deferentially" in other languages:

🇵🇹 reverentemente

🇮🇳 सम्मानपूर्वक

🇩🇪 ehrerbietig

🇮🇩 dengan hormat

🇺🇦 шанобливо

🇵🇱 z szacunkiem

🇯🇵 礼儀正しく (れいぎただしく)

🇫🇷 respectueusement

🇪🇸 respetuosamente

🇹🇷 saygılı bir şekilde

🇰🇷 경건하게 (gyeong-geonhage)

🇸🇦 باحترام

🇨🇿 uctivě

🇸🇰 uctivo

🇨🇳 恭敬地 (gōngjìng de)

🇸🇮 spoštljivo

🇮🇸 virðingarfyllst

🇰🇿 құрметпен

🇬🇪 პატივისცემით (pativistsemit)

🇦🇿 hörmətlə

🇲🇽 respetuosamente

Etymology

The word 'deferentially' is derived from the word 'deference', which comes from the Latin word 'deferre', meaning 'to carry down'. Originally used in the 17th century, it evolved to describe behavior that shows respect or submission to authority.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #34,292 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.