YOUR VOCABULARY, ONE WORD AT A TIME

defer

Verb

IPA /dɪˈfɜː(r)/

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Meaning in plain English

To arrange for a decision or action to happen later instead of at the originally intended time.

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Pronunciation

defer/dɪˈfɜː(r)/

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Examples in context

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We decided to defer buying a new sofa until next year.
The committee deferred its decision until the missing figures arrived.

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Quick word quiz

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We decided to ________ buying a new sofa until next year.

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defer — To arrange for a decision or action to happen later instead of at the originally intended time.

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To arrange for a decision or action to happen later instead of at the originally intended time.

Compare: We decided to defer buying a new sofa until next year.

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Word origin

Through Old French differer from Latin differre, formed from elements meaning apart and carry.

Did you know?

Defer can be followed by an -ing form: defer making a decision.

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