verb B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

postpone

pohst-POHN

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

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

Word forms

postponed past tense, postpones singular

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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

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

Antonyms

advance bring forward prepone

Related words

go come early further board 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.

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