English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology

verb B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

postpone

pohst-POHN

Quiz me More like this

Postpone (verb) means to move an event or activity to a later time; to delay it. Example: “They postponed the wedding due to the storm.”

verb

1

To move an event or activity to a later time; to delay it.

"They postponed the wedding due to the storm."

"The meeting was postponed until next Thursday."

How to use postpone

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishTo push something back to a later date instead of cancelling it entirely.

Common mistake

Postpone means delaying, not cancelling — a postponed event is still expected to happen, just later.

Easily confused with

cancel →

Common pairings

postpone a meeting postpone until further notice postpone indefinitely

Vocabulary Flow

Build your vocabulary from words like postpone.

Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.

Start vocabulary practice

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Word forms

Third person singular: postpones
Past tense: postponed

Test yourself on “postpone” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

They _____ the wedding due to the storm.

Etymology

From Latin postpono, from post ('after') plus pono ('to put, place') — literally 'to put after.'

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

table defer remit shelve put off prorogue put over set back hold over

Antonyms

advance bring forward prepone

Related words

go back come early further table pass approach

Rhymes for postpone

one bone done gone none tone lone hone cone zone stone phone

See all rhymes for postpone →

Frequently asked questions

What does “postpone” mean?

The word “postpone” means to move an event or activity to a later time; to delay it. In plain terms, to push something back to a later date instead of cancelling it entirely.

How do you pronounce “postpone”?

“Postpone” is pronounced pohst-POHN (/poʊstˈpoʊn/ in IPA).

How do you use “postpone” in a sentence?

Here is “postpone” used in a sentence: “They postponed the wedding due to the storm.”

What is the opposite of “postpone”?

The opposite of “postpone” — its antonyms — are advance, bring forward and prepone.

What part of speech is “postpone”?

“Postpone” is a verb.

Where does the word “postpone” come from?

The word “postpone” comes from Latin. From Latin postpono, from post ('after') plus pono ('to put, place') — literally 'to put after.'.

Is “postpone” a common word?

“Postpone” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

People also searched

go back come early further table pass approach