Definition of 'deference'
uncountable noun
Deference is a polite and respectful attitude towards someone, especially because they have an important position.
[Also + to]Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
You may also like
Word Frequency
deference in British English
noun
1.
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Word origin
C17: from French déférence; see defer2Word Frequency
deference in American English
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈhonor
Idioms:
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Word Frequency
deference in American English
(ˈdefərəns)
noun
1.
respectful submission or yielding to the judgment, opinion, will, etc., of another
2.
respectful or courteous regard
in deference to his wishes
Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Word origin
[1640–50; ‹ F déférence, MF, equiv. to defer(er) to defer2 + -ence -ence]Examples of 'deference' in a sentence
deference
These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content that does not reflect the opinions or policies of Collins, or its parent company HarperCollins.
We welcome feedback: report an example sentence to the Collins team. Read more…
Trends of
deference
View usage for:
Source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
In other languages
deference
British English: deference
NOUN /ˈdɛfərəns/
Deference is a polite and respectful attitude towards someone, especially because they have an important position.
...the older political tradition of deference to great leaders.
- American English: deference /ˈdɛfərəns/
- Brazilian Portuguese: deferência
- Chinese: 敬重
- European Spanish: deferencia
- French: déférence
- German: Respekt
- Italian: deferenza
- Japanese: 敬意
- Korean: 경의
- European Portuguese: deferência
- Latin American Spanish: deferencia
Browse alphabetically
deference
Related terms of
deference
Source
Definition of deference from the Collins English Dictionary
Read about the team of authors behind Collins Dictionaries.
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
SPORTS EQUIPMENT
Drag the correct answer into the box.
ice axe
treadmill
snowboard
skipping rope
SPORTS EQUIPMENT
Drag the correct answer into the box.
golf ball
ice axe
tennis ball
dumbbell
SPORTS EQUIPMENT
Drag the correct answer into the box.
goggles
puck
dumbbell
skipping rope
SPORTS EQUIPMENT
Drag the correct answer into the box.
exercise bike
goggles
ice axe
tee
Your score:
Word of the day
apiary
a place where bees are kept, usually in beehives
Latest Word Submissions
Collins English Dictionary Apps
Download our English Dictionary apps - available for both iOS and Android.
Read more
Collins Dictionaries for Schools
Our new online dictionaries for schools provide a safe and appropriate environment for children. And best of all it's ad free, so sign up now and start using at home or in the classroom.
Read more
Word lists
We have almost 200 lists of words from topics as varied as types of butterflies, jackets, currencies, vegetables and knots!
Amaze your friends with your new-found knowledge!
Read more
Quick word challenge
Quiz Review
Question: 1
-
Score: 0 / 5
TRANSPORT
Drag the correct answer into the box.
minibus
helicopter
aeroplane
catamaran
Your score:
Learning English: Months of the year
Learn how to speak about the months of the year, and give information about important dates. Improve your English with Collins.
Read more
Learning English: Days of the week
Learn how to discuss what happens on different days of the week, whether you want to make plans for the day or talk about weekly routines.
Read more
Learning English: Going shopping
Discover some useful English expressions to use while you're out at the shops in this week's Learning English blog.
Read more
Sting-Nettle Day
We're taking a closer look at the intriguing expressions and customs that have grown up around one of the most versatile plants out there - the stinging nettle.
Read more
Collins English Dictionary Apps
Download our English Dictionary apps - available for both iOS and Android.
Read more
Collins Dictionaries for Schools
Our new online dictionaries for schools provide a safe and appropriate environment for children. And best of all it's ad free, so sign up now and start using at home or in the classroom.
Read more
Word lists
We have almost 200 lists of words from topics as varied as types of butterflies, jackets, currencies, vegetables and knots!
Amaze your friends with your new-found knowledge!
Read more