English vocabulary · C1
Deferential
/ˌdef.əˈren.ʃəl/ · adj.
It means showing respect by letting someone else lead or decide.
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Example sentences
- The new doctor was deferential toward the senior surgeon.
- The student stood deferential and quiet before the committee.
Word origin and roots
from Latin
- de — down (from Latin)
- ferre — to carry (from Latin)
Synonyms and nuances
- respectful (showing basic politeness to others)
- submissive (yielding completely to authority)
- humble (having a modest opinion of oneself)
Words with the same root
ferre — carry
- offer — to carry something forward for someone to accept
- prefer — to carry one thing before another — to like it more
- transfer — to carry something across from one place to another
Lesson notes
Deferential. It means showing respect by letting someone else lead or decide. You step back and give way to someone with more authority.
Similar words are respectful, submissive, and humble. Use deferential when a person steps back out of respect for someone above.
The new doctor was deferential toward the senior surgeon. The student stood deferential and quiet before the committee.
From Latin. De means down. Ferre means to carry. To carry yourself down before someone — that quiet respect is deferential.