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What is the difference between postpone and defer?

postpone | defer | Synonyms |

Defer is a synonym of postpone.



As verbs the difference between postpone and defer

is that postpone is to delay or put off an event, appointment etc while defer is to delay or postpone; especially to postpone induction into military service.

postpone

English

Verb

(postpon)
  • To delay or put off an event, appointment etc.
  • *, chapter=7
    • , title= The Mirror and the Lamp , passage=“[…] Churchill, my dear fellow, we have such greedy sharks, and wolves in lamb's clothing. Oh, dear, there's so much to tell you, so many warnings to give you, but all that must be postponed for the moment.”}}

    Synonyms

    * adjourn, defer, delay, forestay, procrastinate, put off, put on ice, stay, suspend

    Antonyms

    * advance * hasten * prepone (India )

    defer

    English

    Etymology 1

    * From (etyl) differer, from (etyl) .

    Verb

    (deferr)
  • To delay or postpone; especially to postpone induction into military service.
  • * Shakespeare
    • Defer the spoil of the city until night.
  • * {{quote-book
    • , year=1818 , author=Mary Shelley , title=Frankenstein , chapter=3 citation , passage=My departure for Ingolstadt, which had been deferred by these events, was now again determined upon.}}
  • to delay, to wait
  • * Milton
    • God will not long defer / To vindicate the glory of his name.
  • (American football) to choose to kick off after winning the opening coin toss.
    • Related terms
    * differ
    Derived terms
    * deferral

    Etymology 2

    * From (etyl)

    Verb

    (deferr)
  • (legal) To submit to the opinion or desire of another in respect to their judgment or authority.
  • * Francis Bacon
    • Hereupon the commissioners deferred the matter to the Earl of Northumberland.
  • * 1899 ,
    • "Well, I must defer to your judgment. You are captain," he said with marked civility.
  • to render, to offer
  • * Brevint
    • worship deferred to the Virgin
    Derived terms
    * deference

    Anagrams

    * * ----