Defer — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /di-ˈfər/ de·fer

Meaning & Definition of Defer

Defer (verb)

  1. put off, delay
  2. to postpone induction of (a person) into military service
  3. to delegate to another
  4. to submit to another's wishes, opinion, or governance usually through deference or respect

Defer (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to assign to a later time

    "we agreed to defer a discussion of the issue until we had more information"

    similar: delay, hold off (on), hold over, hold up, lay over, postpone, put off, put over, remit, shelve
    related: suspend, hesitate, pause, stay, detain, retard, slow, extend, lengthen, prolong, protract, stretch (out), wait
    near: act, deal (with), decide (upon), do, work (on)

Related Entry: Defer (to) (verb)

Defer (to) is a different word from Defer. The synonyms below are for defer (to), not for defer.

  1. as in submit (to), surrender (to)

    similar: submit (to), surrender (to), yield (to), adhere (to), comply (with), conform (to), follow, goose-step (to), mind, obey, observe, accede (to), acquiesce (to), agree (to), assent (to), attend, hear, heed, listen (to), mark, note, notice, regard, take, watch
    opposite: defy, disobey, rebel (against), disoblige, challenge, dare, refuse, renounce, repudiate, direct, lead, brush (off), disregard, ignore, overlook, overpass, pass over, tune out, wink (at), dismiss, pooh-pooh, shrug off, breach, break, infringe, transgress, violate, deride, flout, mock, scoff (at), scorn, mutiny (against), revolt (against), buck, combat, contest, dispute, fight, oppose, resist, withstand

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Defer

The most common words with a similar meaning to Defer:

delay, hold off (on), hold over, hold up, lay over, postpone, put off, put over, remit, shelve

Related Words for Defer

suspend, hesitate, pause, stay, detain, retard, slow, extend, lengthen, prolong, protract, stretch (out), wait

Near Antonyms of Defer

act, deal (with), decide (upon), do, work (on)

Word Forms of Defer

Inflections: deferred, deferring

Derived words: deferrer (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Defer

Middle English differren, deferren, borrowed from Anglo-French differer, borrowed (with conjugational change) from Latin differre "to carry away in varying directions, spread abroad, postpone, delay, be unlike or distinct" differ

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Defer

Words & Phrases Containing Defer

defer to

Frequently Asked Questions about Defer

What does "Defer" mean?

"Defer" means put off, delay. As a verb, it is defined as: put off, delay.

What is another word for "Defer"?

Other words for "Defer" include delay, hold off (on), hold over, hold up, lay over, postpone, put off and put over. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Defer" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Defer"?

There are 23 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Defer". Common alternatives include delay, hold off (on), hold over, hold up, lay over, postpone, put off, put over, remit and shelve.

How do you use "Defer" in a sentence?

Examples of "Defer" in a sentence: "we agreed to defer a discussion of the issue until we had more information".

Is "Defer" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Defer" is a verb.

Is "Defer" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Defer" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Defer"?

"Defer" is pronounced /di-ˈfər/ and divided into syllables as de·fer.

What is the origin of the word "Defer"?

"Defer" comes from Middle English differren, deferren, borrowed from Anglo-French differer, borrowed (with conjugational change) from Latin differre "to carry away in varying directions, spread abroad, postpone, delay, be unlike or distinct" differ. First known use: 14th century.