deference
Americannoun
-
respectful submission or yielding to the judgment, opinion, will, etc., of another.
-
respectful or courteous regard.
in deference to his wishes.
noun
-
submission to or compliance with the will, wishes, etc, of another
-
courteous regard; respect
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of deference
1640–50; < French déf érence, Middle French, equivalent to defer ( er ) to defer 2 + -ence -ence
Explanation
Sure you wear ripped jeans to school every day, but you don't wear them to your grandmother's house out of deference to her. When you show deference to someone, you make a gesture of respect. The noun deference goes with the verb defer, which means "to yield to someone's opinions or wishes out of respect for that person." If you and your dad disagree about the best route to the grocery store, you might defer to him, and take his route. You're taking his route out of deference to his opinion and greater experience.
Vocabulary lists containing deference
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In practice, its ability to impose its will is circumscribed by deference to provincial and indigenous prerogatives, often enforced by courts.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 16, 2026
In deference to Fielder’s wishes, this is your last chance to turn back: Major spoilers follow.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2026
"I'd say don't be a simp," she says, using a term for someone who shows extreme deference to authority figures.
From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026
Courts must be able to test whether the claimed threat is genuine and supported by the facts before giving the government the deference that follows.
From Slate ● Sep. 25, 2026
“That is not important,” said the owl, drawing back a little and looking at her in a new way—almost as if with deference.
From "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH" by Robert C. O'Brien
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
