1
Core action
Delay or postpone an action, decision, or event until a later time.
Example
The committee deferred the vote until Friday.
defer
/dɪˈfɜːr/ · dih-FURverb
Delay or postpone an action, decision, or event until a later time.
Use defer to express this relationship precisely: delay or postpone an action, decision, or event until a later time.
What defer Really Means
The word becomes easier to use when its closely related senses are separated and compared.
2
Common construction
Use this expression in its normal grammatical frame so the relationship between the surrounding ideas remains explicit.
Example
Students may defer admission for one year.
3
Reasoning effect
It tells the reader how to interpret the timing, scope, evidence, contrast, condition, or consequence in the statement.
Example
Officials deferred action while awaiting the report.
Use defer Naturally
Notice how the surrounding noun or clause reveals the exact shade of meaning.
The committee deferred the vote until Friday.
Students may defer admission for one year.
Officials deferred action while awaiting the report.
Precision Matters
Defer overlaps with several common words, but each carries a different emphasis.
defer
vs.Means delay or postpone an action, decision, or event until a later time.
reiterate
Means say or state something again, especially to emphasize or clarify it.
defer
vs.Means delay or postpone an action, decision, or event until a later time.
require
Means need, demand, or make something necessary under a rule, condition, or purpose.
defer
vs.Means delay or postpone an action, decision, or event until a later time.
invoke
Means call on a law, authority, principle, person, or power for support, justification, or action.
defer
vs.Means delay or postpone an action, decision, or event until a later time.
prolong
Means make a period, process, condition, or event last longer than it otherwise would.
Test defer in Context
The decision is postponed until a later time.
1
Because crucial evidence was still missing, the panel chose to ___ its decision.