Defer

/dɪˈfɜr/

Meaning & Definition

verb
to put off (action) to a future time; to postpone.
We have decided to defer the meeting until next week.
to yield respectfully in judgment or opinion to the wishes or decisions of another.
I will defer to your expertise on this matter.
to submit to another's wishes, opinion, or decision.
The committee chose to defer to the board for the final decision.

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin 'differre', meaning 'to carry apart, delay' (dif- + ferre 'to carry').

Common Phrases and Expressions

defer to
To submit to the judgment or decision of another.
defer payment
To postpone the payment due.
defer action
To delay taking action on an issue.

Related Words

deference
Respectful submission or yielding to the judgment of another.
deferment
The action of postponing or delaying something.
deferral
An act of delaying or postponing.

Slang Meanings

To push something off for later, often used in a casual context.
I'll just defer that assignment until tomorrow.