deference
deference
Pronunciation
/ˈdɛfərəns/ (General American) or /ˈdɛf(ə)rəns/ (UK)
def:
/d/ as in "day"
/ɛ/ as in "head"
/f/ as in "fish"
er:
/ə/ or /ɚ/ the sound depends on the accent. In american english it will be the /ɚ/ sound.
/r/ as in "red"
ence:
/ə/ as in "sudden"
/n/ as in "nose"
/s/ as in "say"
Word Form Variations
deference (noun):
This is the base form of the word. It's an uncountable noun, meaning it generally doesn't have a plural form in the traditional sense. So you would not typically say "deferences".
It expresses the concept of respect and polite submission.
deferential (adjective):
This is the adjective form of the word, meaning "showing deference."
Example: "He was very deferential to his elders."
deferentially (adverb):
This is the adverb form of the word.
Example: "He spoke deferentially."
defer (verb):
This is the verb that "deference" is derived from. It means to yield respectfully.
Example: "I will defer to your judgment."
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
1. Deference (Noun)
Definition:
A respectful submission or yielding to the judgment, opinion, or wishes of another, particularly someone considered superior or more experienced.
A courteous regard for another's feelings or position.
Synonyms:
Respect
Reverence
Regard
Courtesy
Homage
Yielding
Respectfulness
Antonyms:
Disrespect
Contempt
Defiance
Disregard
Insolence
Impertinence
2. Deferential (Adjective)
Definition:
Characterized by or showing respect and courteous submission.
Inclined to yield to the opinions or wishes of others.
Synonyms:
Respectful
Reverent
Submissive
Courteous
Obedient
Antonyms:
Disrespectful
Contemptuous
Defiant
Insolent
Impertinent
3. Deferentially (Adverb)
Definition:
In a manner that shows respect and courteous submission.
With a tendency to yield to another's judgment.
Synonyms:
Respectfully
Reverently
Submissively
Courteously
Antonyms:
Disrespectfully
Contemptuously
Defiantly
Insolently
4. Defer (Verb)
Definition:
To yield respectfully to another's opinion or wishes.
To postpone.
Synonyms:
Yield
Submit
Postpone
Adjourn
Delay
Antonyms:
Disregard
Ignore
Proceed
Advance
Examples of Use
1. Literature:
"She is the sort of woman whom one cannot regard with too much deference." (Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice)
This classic example highlights the word's traditional use in portraying social interactions and hierarchies.
2. News and Online Publications:
"This royal wedding showed that deference for our top tribe has gone." (Times, Sunday Times)
This quote shows how the term is used in modern media to discuss shifting social attitudes.
"Similarly, it is extremely important if you are dealing with any government employee or politician to give due deference." (Times, Sunday Times)
This is an example of how the word is used in a practical context, giving advice on how to interact with people in positions of power.
"McRae stands alone as a pop allegiant, one with deference to the artists that came before her and a proclivity for their brand of spectacle." (Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 21 Feb. 2025)
This example shows how the word is used in modern entertainment media, when describing how a modern artist treats those who came before them.
3. Legal and Political Discourse:
"This is a relatively low bar that gives deference to the Congress." (Christianity Today)
In legal and political contexts, "deference" often refers to the respect and authority given to certain institutions or bodies.
"However, given its complexity and the deference courts show to administrative determinations, a speaker wishing to avoid criminal liability threats and the heavy costs of defending against FEC enforcement must ask a governmental agency for prior permission to speak." (Liz Tracey, JSTOR Daily, 24 Jan.)
This example shows the word being used in a legal context, when discussing how courts treat administrative determinations.
4. General Public Discourse:
You might hear someone say, "Out of deference to my grandmother, I dressed formally for the occasion."
This is a common, everyday use of the word, demonstrating respect for an elder.
When a person says "in deference to your wishes" they are showing that they will comply with what another person wants.
10 Famous Quotes Using Deference
"I yield to your better judgment." — A phrase embodying deference, often attributed to diplomatic or humble exchanges.
"Deference is the most complicated, the most indirect, and the most elegant of all compliments." — Charles Maurice de Talleyrand (paraphrased from writings on diplomacy and court etiquette)
"A sense of deference to the upper class among whites made it possible...for white leaders to contain the white supremacists." (Robert L. Harris, Jr., American Historical Review)
"Old age...The tokens of deference and honor uniformly rendered in society to old age that has not forfeited its title to respect are a source of pleasure." (Cicero, On Old Age)
"And so I had very serious doubts about him. When I arrived, though, he treated me with great deference. He was obviously very grateful that I had come." (BBC)
"In the 1980s, in deference to the neighborhoods, City Hall would attempt a counter-reformation of downtown, forbidding 'Manhattanization.'" (Richard Rodriguez, Harper's)
"She could have subtly appealed to the deference...she knew was still in there, encoded in their middle-aged hearts; she never did." (Peggy Noonan, New York Times Magazine)
"Deference to leaders and intolerance toward outsiders (and toward 'enemies within') are hallmarks of tribalism..." (Benjamin R. Barber, Atlantic)
"Similarly, it is extremely important if you are dealing with any government employee or politician to give due deference." (Times, Sunday Times)
"McRae stands alone as a pop allegiant, one with deference to the artists that came before her and a proclivity for their brand of spectacle." (Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 21 Feb. 2025)
Etymology
Its Roots:
It starts with the Latin verb "deferre." This word had a couple of meanings:
"To carry down or away."
"To refer."
"To yield."
The Shift in Meaning:
Over time, "deferre" evolved into the Old French "deferer," which carried the idea of "to respect" or "to yield."
Then it entered middle English as "deference" meaning respect, or the act of yielding.
First Known Use:
The first known use of the English word "deference" was in the 15th century. At that time, it essentially meant "the act of yielding" or "respectful submission."
Modern Meaning:
Today, "deference" still carries that core meaning of respect and yielding, especially to someone considered superior or more experienced. It's about showing courteous regard for another person's feelings or position.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Deference
Phrases Using "Deference":
"Out of deference to..."
This is the most common phrase. It means "because of respect for..." or "in consideration of..."
Example: "Out of deference to his age, we gave him the most comfortable chair."
"In deference to..."
Similar to the above, this phrase also signifies respect or consideration.
Example: "In deference to your wishes, I have decided to stay home."
"Show deference to..."
This means to display respect or submission towards someone.
Example: "It is important to show deference to your elders."
Why "Deference" Doesn't Have Many Idioms:
"Deference" is a fairly formal and abstract noun. Idioms often rely on more concrete, everyday language.
The concept of "deference" is quite specific, limiting its range of metaphorical application.
Idioms with Synonyms (for Similar Effect):
"Give way to..." (similar to "yield in deference to")
This idiom means to concede or allow something to happen.
Example: "He gave way to her superior knowledge."
"Pay homage to..." (similar to "show deference to")
This idiom means to show respect or reverence.
Example: "The film pays homage to the classic horror movies of the 1980s."
"Tip one's hat to..." (similar to "show respect to")
Example: "I have to tip my hat to the team, they played very well."
"To bow to someone's wishes" (similar to acting in deference to someones wishes)
Example: "The company bowed to public pressure and changed its policy."
Original Phrases:
"A gesture of deference..."
This phrase can be used to describe an action that shows respect.
Example: "A simple nod was a gesture of deference."
"The weight of deference..."
This phrase can be used to describe the feeling of being obligated to show respect.
Example: "He felt the weight of deference when speaking to the CEO."
While "deference" itself doesn't feature in many common idioms, we can use related phrases and synonymous idioms to express similar concepts.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of deference from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
