Meaning & use
deferential
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Meaning
adjectivecomparableformal
Showing polite respect by giving way to someone's wishes, judgment or position.
Grammar: Can follow a linking verb or come before a noun, often with to: deferential to elders, a deferential tone.
Patterns
- deferential to someone
- be deferential toward someone
- a deferential manner
The young lawyer was deferential to the senior partners in meetings.
He spoke in a deferential tone when addressing the judge.
The staff were deferential toward the famous director, rarely questioning her choices.
Word forms
| comparative | more deferential |
|---|---|
| superlative | most deferential |
Common combinations
- deferential tone
- She answered in a deferential tone, careful not to offend.
- deferential to authority
- The students were deferential to authority and rarely argued.
- deferential manner
- His deferential manner made the elders trust him.
- overly deferential
- The assistant was overly deferential, agreeing with every idea.
- deferential bow
- The courtier gave a deferential bow before speaking.
Synonyms and how they differ
- respectful
- Respectful is the general, neutral word, while deferential specifically means yielding to someone of higher rank or greater experience.
- submissive
- Submissive suggests giving in completely, often from weakness, while deferential can be a choice made from politeness.
- obsequious
- Obsequious is critical and means fawning, so it is stronger and more negative than deferential.
- polite
- Polite only means well-mannered, without the idea of letting someone else's wishes come first.
Opposites
Word family
- defer verb
- to give way to another's wishes or judgment
- deference noun
- humble, polite respect for someone
- deferentially adverb
- in a respectful, yielding manner
Commonly confused: deferential or differential? deferential or reverential?
deferential vs differential
Differential means relating to a difference, as in a pay differential, and has nothing to do with showing respect.
deferential vs reverential
Reverential expresses deep awe, usually toward something sacred, while deferential is about yielding to someone's authority.
Practice
The new intern was ______ to the senior engineers and never challenged their decisions. Which word fits best?
Choose one answer.
Deferential means showing respect by yielding, which fits someone who never challenges seniors. Defiant would mean the opposite.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “deferential”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.