Deferred: meaning, definitions and examples

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deferred

[dɪˈfɜːd ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

in legal terms

Delayed or postponed, especially in reference to a payment or a legal case.

Synonyms

delayed, postponed, suspended.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
deferred	Used when referring to the postponement of an action or event to a later time, often implying it has been intentionally set aside for now and will be reconsidered or addressed in the future. The payment of taxes has been deferred until the end of the year. Her admission to the university was deferred until the next academic session.
postponed	Used when an event or action is rescheduled to a later time or date, often officially announced. It often implies that the event will still take place, just not at the originally intended time. The meeting has been postponed until next week. The concert has been postponed because the singer got sick.
delayed	Used when something happens later than expected or planned, often due to unforeseen circumstances or obstacles. It does not necessarily imply a formal decision to change the timing. The flight was delayed due to bad weather. The project launch has been delayed because of technical issues.
suspended	Used when an activity or process is temporarily stopped, often implying that it may be resumed later. It can also carry a formal or official connotation. The employee was suspended for violating company policies. The service was suspended due to technical difficulties.

Examples of usage

The court granted a deferred sentence for the first-time offender.
The company offered a deferred payment plan for its customers.

^{Context #2 | Adjective}

in educational terms

Accepted to a school or program but starting at a later date.

Synonyms

delayed, postponed, rescheduled.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
deferred	This word is typically used in formal contexts, such as business or education, where an action or event is officially put off until a later time. The committee deferred the decision until next month. He deferred his admission to the university for a year.
delayed	Use this word when something is held up or takes more time than expected. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts. The flight was delayed due to bad weather. His response to the email was delayed.
postponed	This word is often used in contexts where an event or meeting is arranged for a later time, typically used in both formal and informal settings. The concert was postponed because of the rain. Our meeting has been postponed to next Monday.
rescheduled	Use this word when an event or appointment is rearranged for a different time. It implies setting a new date or time. The doctor's appointment was rescheduled for next week. The game was rescheduled due to unforeseen circumstances.

Examples of usage

He was a deferred applicant for the graduate program, starting next semester.
The student decided to take a deferred admission to the university.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'deferred' comes from the Latin word 'differre', which means 'to carry apart' or 'to delay'.
In English, it has been used since the late 14th century to indicate postponement.
The prefix 'de-' adds the sense of reversal or removal, while 'fer' means to carry or bring.

Psychology

Deferred gratification refers to the ability to resist the temptation for an immediate reward and wait for a later reward.
Successful delayed gratification is often linked to better life outcomes, such as higher academic achievement.
Marshmallow experiments showed children's ability to defer their desires correlates with their future success.

Finance

In finance, 'deferred' often relates to payments that are postponed, such as deferred taxes or mortgage payments.
Companies might defer revenues until they are earned, which can influence financial reporting and cash flow.
Investors sometimes seek deferred annuities for future income, allowing them to delay payouts to a later date.

Education

In academics, students may have the option to defer their admissions to a university to a later term or year.
A deferred action program for students allows them to postpone enrollment while meeting specific conditions.
The concept of deferred scholarships means funds are set aside to be used in the future for education.

Legal

In law, a deferred sentence or adjudication allows defendants to delay their sentencing under certain conditions.
Deferred prosecution agreements permit the defendant to avoid criminal charges by fulfilling specific requirements.
Deferred compensation plans enable employees to postpone their taxes on earnings, helping them save money.

Translations

Translations of the word "deferred" in other languages:

🇵🇹 adiado

🇮🇳 स्थगित

🇩🇪 aufgeschoben

🇮🇩 ditunda

🇺🇦 відкладений

🇵🇱 odroczony

🇯🇵 延期された

🇫🇷 reporté

🇪🇸 aplazado

🇹🇷 ertelenmiş

🇰🇷 연기된

🇸🇦 مؤجل

🇨🇿 odložený

🇸🇰 odložený

🇨🇳 延期的

🇸🇮 preložen

🇮🇸 frestað

🇰🇿 кейінге қалдырылған

🇬🇪 გადადებული

🇦🇿 təxirə salınmış

🇲🇽 aplazado

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,974 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.

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5971 invalid
5972 freezing
5973 fertile
5974 deferred
5975 retaining
5976 stiff
5977 finely
...