How Do You Spell DEFER?

Pronunciation: [dɪfˈɜː] (IPA)

The word "defer" is spelled with four letters, but its pronunciation can be tricky. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is written as /dɪˈfɜr/. The first syllable is pronounced with a short "i" sound, followed by a stress on the second syllable. The "f" sound is pronounced with the lower teeth touching the upper lip. Finally, the syllable "-er" is pronounced with a slightly rounded vowel sound. Remembering the correct pronunciation can help avoid confusion with similar sounding words like "differ" or "defier."

Meaning and Definition
Top Common Misspellings
Other Common Misspellings
Etymology
Idioms
Similar spelling words
Conjugate verb
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DEFER Meaning and Definition

  1. Defer, as a transitive verb, refers to the act of postponing or delaying something to a later time or date. It involves the choice to not immediate action on a task, decision, or responsibility. Essentially, it suggests putting off an action to a more convenient or suitable moment. When individuals defer something, they consciously decide to prioritize other matters and deal with the deferred item at a future time.

    The term "defer" encompasses various contexts and can apply to a wide range of situations. It is frequently used to describe delaying a planned event, appointment, or meeting. For instance, if someone defers a meeting, they decide to reschedule it for a later date, often due to conflicting schedules or unforeseen circumstances.

    Additionally, "defer" can also refer to the act of showing respect or yielding to someone's opinion, authority, or expertise. In this case, it implies acknowledging another person's judgment and refraining from disagreeing or taking action without their input. It conveys a sense of politeness or deference to someone else's opinion or decision-making power.

    Overall, the term "defer" suggests the intentional delay or postponement of an action or decision, either based on personal preference or respect for others.

  2. • To put off; to delay.
    • To yield or lean to another's opinion; to submit in opinion.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for DEFER *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for DEFER

Etymology of DEFER

The word "defer" comes from the Latin word "differre", which is a combination of "dis" meaning "away" or "apart", and "ferre" meaning "to carry" or "to bear". In Latin, "differre" originally referred to the act of carrying or bearing something apart or in different directions. Over time, the word developed additional meanings such as postponing or delaying, which eventually carried into the English language.

Idioms with the word DEFER

  • defer to sb The idiom "defer to sb" means to yield or give in to someone's opinion, decision, or authority, typically out of respect or deference to their experience, expertise, or seniority. It implies accepting someone else's judgment or deferring to their leadership.
  • defer to sm or sth (on sth) The idiom "defer to someone or something (on something)" means to submit or yield to the authority, expertise, or judgment of someone or something regarding a specific matter or decision. It implies showing respect, trust, and reliance on the opinion or knowledge of another person or entity.
  • defer to (someone or something) The idiom "defer to (someone or something)" means to yield or give in to someone's opinion, authority, or decision-making. It implies that one chooses to follow or accept what another person or entity says or does, usually out of respect, deference, or recognition of their expertise or higher position.
  • defer to someone or something (on something) The idiom "defer to someone or something (on something)" means to yield or give preference to someone or something in making a decision or judgement. It implies granting authority or respect to another person's expertise, knowledge, or opinion in a particular matter.

Similar spelling words for DEFER

Conjugate verb Defer

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have deferred
you would have deferred
he/she/it would have deferred
we would have deferred
they would have deferred
I would have defer
you would have defer
he/she/it would have defer
we would have defer
they would have defer

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been deferring
you would have been deferring
he/she/it would have been deferring
we would have been deferring
they would have been deferring

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would defer
you would defer
he/she/it would defer
we would defer
they would defer

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be deferring
you would be deferring
he/she/it would be deferring
we would be deferring
they would be deferring

FUTURE

I will defer
you will defer
he/she/it will defer
we will defer
they will defer

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be deferring
you will be deferring
he/she/it will be deferring
we will be deferring
they will be deferring

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have deferred
you will have deferred
he/she/it will have deferred
we will have deferred
they will have deferred

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been deferring
you will have been deferring
he/she/it will have been deferring
we will have been deferring
they will have been deferring

IMPERATIVE

you defer
we let´s defer

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to defer

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was deferring
you were deferring
he/she/it was deferring
we were deferring
they were deferring

PAST PARTICIPLE

deferred

PAST PERFECT

I had deferred
you had deferred
he/she/it had deferred
we had deferred
they had deferred

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been deferring
you had been deferring
he/she/it had been deferring
we had been deferring
they had been deferring

PRESENT

I defer
you defer
he/she/it defers
we defer
they defer

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am deferring
you are deferring
he/she/it is deferring
we are deferring
they are deferring

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

deferring

PRESENT PERFECT

I have deferred
you have deferred
he/she/it has deferred
we have deferred
they have deferred

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been deferring
you have been deferring
he/she/it has been deferring
we have been deferring
they have been deferring

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it defer

SIMPLE PAST

I deferred
you deferred
he/she/it deferred
we deferred
they deferred

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Correct spelling for defer
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