deferential

[def-uh-ren-shuhl]

adjective

showing deference; deferent; respectful.

Origin of deferential

1815–25; after deference, by analogy with such pairs as residence: residential

Related formsdef·er·en·tial·ly, adverbnon·def·er·en·tial, adjectivenon·def·er·en·tial·ly, adverbo·ver·def·er·en·tial, adjectiveo·ver·def·er·en·tial·ly, adverbun·def·er·en·tial, adjectiveun·def·er·en·tial·ly, adverb

Synonyms for deferential

courteous, regardful, dutiful, obedient, reverential.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for deferentially

Historical Examples of deferentially

"I feel as sure as can be, sir, that it was not Mr. Arthur Channing," he deferentially said.
The Channings
Mrs. Henry Wood
"Mathilde will be here in a moment," said Caron deferentially.
The Trampling of the Lilies
Rafael Sabatini
Jim looked at her deferentially, as he passed, a hand ready for his hat.
The Prisoner
Alice Brown
He said deferentially in the first place that he was not a savage.
Punch or the London Charivari, Vol. 147, December 23, 1914
Various
"I hope we shall, squire," said the poor relative, deferentially.
The Young Miner
Horatio Alger, Jr.

British Dictionary definitions for deferentially

deferential

adjective

marked by or showing deference or respect; respectful

Derived Formsdeferentially, adverb

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

Word Origin and History for deferentially

deferential

adj.

1822, from deferent + -ial; as a word in anatomy, from 1877. Related: Deferentially.

deferentially in Medicine

deferential

[dĕf′ə-rĕn′shəl]

adj.

Of or relating to the vas deferens.