Postpone: meaning, definitions and examples

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postpone

[pəʊstˈpəʊn ]

Definition

^{Context #1 | Verb}

meeting scheduling

To delay an event or appointment to a later time or date.

Synonyms

defer, delay, put off, reschedule.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
postpone	Use when you want to move an event or an action to a later time or date due to unexpected circumstances or the need for more time. Formal context. The meeting has been postponed until next Monday We need to postpone the project deadline
delay	Used when something is late or slower than expected, often due to external factors. Slightly negative connotation due to inconvenience. The flight was delayed due to bad weather Please don't delay the process further
defer	Applicable in formal settings where making a decision or taking an action is intentionally delayed, usually to await further information or events. The committee decided to defer the decision until next month We will defer the payment to next quarter
put off	Informal way to indicate postponing or delaying something, often used in casual conversation. Can have a slight negative connotation of procrastination. I keep putting off my dentist appointment Let's not put off solving this problem
reschedule	Used when you change the time or date of an event to another set time. Neutral connotation. We will reschedule the meeting for next week Can we reschedule our lunch to Friday?

Examples of usage

I need to postpone our meeting until next week.
The concert has been postponed due to bad weather.
We decided to postpone the deadline for the project submission.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word comes from Latin 'postponere,' which means 'to put after.' It's made of two parts: 'post' (after) and 'ponere' (to place).
The term has been part of the English language since the 14th century, showing its long-standing presence in communication.

Psychology

Postponing tasks often relates to procrastination, a psychological behavior where individuals delay actions despite potential negative outcomes.
Research shows that people may postpone responsibilities to avoid stress or enhance their focus, leading to mixed results over time.

Pop Culture

Many TV shows and movies feature characters who postpone important events, creating suspense or comedy, like delaying a wedding or a big reveal.
The concept has become a common plot device in romantic comedies, illustrating how characters struggle with timing in relationships.

Education

In academic settings, students often postpone studying for exams, reflecting a broader trend in time management skills.
Educators encourage developing a plan to avoid postponement, as it can lead to cramming and increased anxiety before deadlines.

History

Postponing events is a common practice in history; for example, many ancient civilizations would delay festivals based on weather patterns or harvests.
Political events, like elections, have been postponed throughout history due to crises, demonstrating the impact of timing on governance.

Translations

Translations of the word "postpone" in other languages:

🇵🇹 adiar

🇮🇳 स्थगित करना

🇩🇪 verschieben

🇮🇩 menunda

🇺🇦 відкласти

🇵🇱 odroczyć

🇯🇵 延期する (enki suru)

🇫🇷 reporter

🇪🇸 posponer

🇹🇷 ertelemek

🇰🇷 연기하다 (yeongi hada)

🇸🇦 تأجيل (ta'jil)

🇨🇿 odložit

🇸🇰 odložiť

🇨🇳 推迟 (tuīchí)

🇸🇮 preložiti

🇮🇸 fresta

🇰🇿 кейінге қалдыру

🇬🇪 გადავადება (gadavadeba)

🇦🇿 təxirə salmaq

🇲🇽 posponer

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,373, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.

...
10370 disarmament
10371 siblings
10372 emphatically
10373 postpone
10374 doctoral
10375 modem
10376 impurity
...