defer
Defer (verb) means to put something off until a later time; to postpone. Example: “The university let him defer his admission for a year.”
How to use defer
Learner’s notesDon't confuse with "differ" (to be unlike) even though they share a Latin ancestor — "defer" is about postponing or yielding, "differ" is about being different.
Word forms
deferred past tense, deferred past tense, defers singular, defers singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The university let him _____ his admission for a year.
Etymology
From Old French differer, from Latin differō — the same ultimate root as "differ," making them doublets of each other.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for defer
See all rhymes for defer →Frequently asked questions
What does “defer” mean?
The word “defer” means to put something off until a later time; to postpone.
How do you pronounce “defer”?
“Defer” is pronounced dih-FUR (/dɪˈfɝ/ in IPA).
How do you use “defer” in a sentence?
Here is “defer” used in a sentence: “The university let him defer his admission for a year.”
What part of speech is “defer”?
“Defer” is a verb.
Where does the word “defer” come from?
The word “defer” comes from Latin. From Old French differer, from Latin differō — the same ultimate root as "differ," making them doublets of each other.
Is “defer” a common word?
“Defer” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “defer” have?
“Defer” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to put something off until a later time; to postpone.