Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Synonyms

deferred

American  
[dih-furd] / dɪˈfɜrd /

adjective

  1. postponed or delayed.

  2. suspended or withheld for or until a certain time or event.

    a deferred payment; deferred taxes.

  3. classified as temporarily exempt from induction into military service.


deferred British  
/ dɪˈfɜːd /

adjective

  1. withheld over a certain period; postponed

    a deferred payment

  2. (of shares) ranking behind other types of shares for dividend

"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

Other Word Forms

  • undeferred adjective
  • well-deferred adjective

Etymology

Origin of deferred

First recorded in 1645–55; defer 1 + -ed 2

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.

By comparison, $125 million was “a bargain for the county,” said Govan, “Because they had the liability of ownership of those buildings and the deferred maintenance was extraordinary.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 8, 2026

For condominiums, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac blacklist buildings with significant deferred maintenance or thin reserves.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 5, 2026

But her request for a decision on the application to be deferred to allow for a site visit was not supported by other councillors.

From BBC • Apr. 1, 2026

The estimate is based on personal income tax withholding trends and includes cash bonuses paid for work performed in 2025 and bonuses deferred from prior years that have been cashed in.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 27, 2026

How I am someone’s answered prayer but also someone’s deferred dream.

From "Piecing Me Together" by Renée Watson