defer

What does “defer” mean?

verb.to put off (an action or event) to a later time; to submit humbly to someone's wishes.

SAT Usage

the term frequently appears in contexts involving decision-making, priorities, or authority. It implies a deliberate choice to postpone an action or to yield to another's preferences, emphasizing respect or submission rather than mere procrastination, which distinguishes it from similar words like "postpone," which lacks the nuance of deference.

Common Confusions

Defer implies a respectful submission to another's wishes or a conscious choice to delay, while postpone usually suggests a simple delay without the connotation of yielding or respect.

Example Sentences

• We're going to defer the decision until we have all the facts.

• We will defer the decision until we review the data.

Word Parts: How to Remember “defer”

Break “defer” into its parts: de- (down, away, un-). Knowing roots like these helps you decode unfamiliar SAT vocabulary.

• Prefix: de- down, away, un- (Latin)