deferential

[ def-uh-ren-shuhl ]
See synonyms for deferential on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. showing deference; deferent; respectful.

Origin of deferential

1
1815–25; after deference, by analogy with such pairs as residence: residential

Other words for deferential

Other words from deferential

  • def·er·en·tial·ly, adverb
  • non·def·er·en·tial, adjective
  • non·def·er·en·tial·ly, adverb
  • o·ver·def·er·en·tial, adjective
  • o·ver·def·er·en·tial·ly, adverb
  • un·def·er·en·tial, adjective
  • un·def·er·en·tial·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use deferential in a sentence

  • Whenever I come up against Cupid, experience has taught me to retire deferentially, and wait until the love-fever has abated.

    The Doctor of Pimlico | William Le Queux
  • “No, sir,” said Weston in a formal manner, though “sir” is not often used deferentially in western Canada.

    The Gold Trail | Harold Bindloss
  • Closing the door softly behind him, he coughed deferentially.

  • The stately manner of Germain caught his glance at once, and bowing deferentially he inquired the name.

    The False Chevalier | William Douw Lighthall
  • I have called the waiter to explain the curious circumstance, and asked if it be royalty that is so deferentially acknowledged.

    Tony Butler | Charles James Lever

British Dictionary definitions for deferential

deferential

/ (ˌdɛfəˈrɛnʃəl) /


adjective
  1. 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