deference

[ def-er-uh ns ]
/ ˈdɛf ər əns /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR deference ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

respectful submission or yielding to the judgment, opinion, will, etc., of another.
respectful or courteous regard: in deference to his wishes.

QUIZZES

DO YOU KNOW THIS VOCABULARY FROM "THE HANDMAID'S TALE"?

"The Handmaid's Tale" was required reading for many of us in school. Everyone else has probably watched the very popular and addictive TV show. Do you remember this vocabulary from the book, and do you know what these terms mean?
Question 1 of 10
decorum
the act of or need for making up one's mind.
dignified propriety of behavior, speech, dress, etc.
a company of singers, especially an organized group employed in church service.
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Origin of deference

1640–50; < French déférence, Middle French, equivalent to defer(er) to defer2 + -ence -ence

OTHER WORDS FROM deference

non·def·er·ence, noun

Words nearby deference

defensive back, defensive circle, defensive driving, defensive medicine, defer, deference, deferent, deferent duct, deferentectomy, deferential, deferentitis
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Words related to deference

yielding, courtesy, civility, reverence, obeisance, submission, condescension, acquiescence, complaisance, capitulation, docility, veneration, regard, acclaim, esteem, consideration, respect, honor, thoughtfulness, politeness

Example sentences from the Web for deference

British Dictionary definitions for deference

deference
/ (ˈdɛfərəns) /

noun

submission to or compliance with the will, wishes, etc, of another
courteous regard; respect

Word Origin for deference

C17: from French déférence; see defer ²
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012