Vocabulary Spotlight
Defer
Part of Speech: Verb
Definition: To postpone or delay an action; to yield to the judgment or authority of another.
“They decided to defer the meeting until next week to allow more time for preparation.”
Pronunciation
[dih-fur]
Synonyms, Antonyms & Related Words
Synonyms
Delay
Suspend
Adjourn
Yield
Antonyms
Proceed
Expedite
Hasten
Continue
Related Words
Deferred (adjective)
Word Origin
“Defer” originates from the Latin “differre,” meaning “to delay or postpone.” It entered English in the late Middle Ages.
Word Family
Noun: Deferral – The act of postponing or delaying.
Adjective: Deferred – Postponed or delayed.
Mnemonics
Think of “defer” as “de-fair” — to be fair by delaying or yielding to others’ wishes.
Industry-specific Usage
Finance
In finance, to defer payments means to delay them, often to alleviate immediate financial burden.
Academia
In education, students may defer enrollment to begin studies at a later date.
Military
In the military, deferment is sometimes granted for service, allowing postponement based on eligibility.
In Context
Deferring actions or decisions can be a strategic choice, especially when waiting for additional information or considering others’ authority. This term is common in business, academia, and personal decision-making.