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deferential

[ def-uh-ren-shuhl ]
/ ˌdɛf əˈrɛn ʃəl /
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See synonyms for deferential on Thesaurus.com
adjective
showing deference; deferent; respectful.
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His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.
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Origin of deferential

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

OTHER WORDS FROM deferential

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to deferential

civil, courteous, obedient, polite, reverential, submissive, complaisant, disarming, duteous, dutiful, ingratiating, insinuating, obeisant, obsequious, regardful, saccharine, silken, silky

How to use deferential in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for deferential

deferential
/ (ˌdɛfəˈrɛnʃəl) /
adjective
marked by or showing deference or respect; respectful

Derived forms of deferential

deferentially, 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
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