deferential
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
- deferentially adverb
- nondeferential adjective
- nondeferentially adverb
- overdeferential adjective
- overdeferentially adverb
- undeferential adjective
- undeferentially adverb
Etymology
Origin of deferential
1815–25; after deference, by analogy with such pairs as residence: residential
Explanation
When a young person shows respect and obedience to an older person, they’re being deferential to the elder’s wisdom and experience. To be obedient, courteous, or dutiful are all ways of being deferential. Bowing low to the Queen is a deferential act when visiting Buckingham Palace. On sports teams, rookies are usually deferential to the veterans and star players, while all players should be deferential to the coach. All employees are expected to be at least a little deferential to their bosses. Being deferential shows respect, but also means "I know my place, and it's lower than yours."
Vocabulary lists containing deferential
Dog Vocabulary: A Canine Lexicon
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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.
Until the 1960s, most broadcasting was dry and deferential.
From BBC • Mar. 7, 2026
"He was intensely serious but showed flashes of humour. He encouraged debate although his officers were deferential," Pike wrote in a 2019 book.
From Barron's • Jan. 12, 2026
She’s very deferential to him, clearly aiming for this goal of “OK, and I’ll take over.”
From Slate • Jan. 5, 2026
Still, the justices have been deferential to presidential powers and the outcome is uncertain.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 4, 2025
His face assumes a deferential expression and he gestures broadly toward an entrance on the opposite side.
From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen
Definitions 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.
