Word
deferred
Phoneticsde·ferred, stress on the second syllable
US/dɪˈfɝd/
UK/dɪfˈɜːd/
Definitions
01delayed or postponed
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. delayed or put off until a later time.
adj. postponed or delayed until a future time; often used in professional contexts regarding projects or decisions.
“The committee reached a deferred decision after they realised they needed more information.”
“The board issued a deferred response to the merger proposal, citing the need for a more comprehensive audit of the competitor's assets.”
02finance and accounting
C1 · Advanced Law Technical
adj. describes money, taxes, or payments that are recorded now but handled at a future date.
adj. pertaining to an asset or liability whose value or payment is not realised until a future period.
“The company has a deferred tax liability that they must pay next year.”
“By opting for a deferred annuity, the investor ensured a steady stream of income that would only commence upon their retirement.”
Usage
Commonly used in the phrases 'deferred tax' or 'deferred payment'.
03past action of delaying
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. the past tense of 'defer', meaning you moved something to a later date.
v. the past tense and past participle of the transitive verb 'defer', indicating the act of postponement.
“They deferred the start of the project until the new manager arrived.”
“The department deferred the implementation of the new software until all staff members had completed the mandatory training modules.”
Antonyms
04yielded to another
C1 · Advanced Formal
v. the past tense of 'defer', meaning you let someone else decide because you respect them.
v. the past tense of the intransitive verb 'defer', meaning to submit to another's wishes or authority out of respect.
“He deferred to his older sister when it came to choosing a gift for their parents.”
“The junior researchers deferred to the lead scientist's expertise when interpreting the unexpected results of the clinical trial.”
Usage
Usually followed by the preposition 'to'.
05programming object
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Computing Technical
n. a tool in computer programming that represents a result that is not ready yet.
n. an object used in asynchronous programming to manage a result that will be available in the future.
“The function returns a deferred so the program can keep running while the data loads.”
“The developer utilised a deferred object to handle the multiple asynchronous requests, ensuring the interface remained responsive during the data fetch.”
Real-World Examples
“The pattern is often familiar: costs are immediate, local and certain, while benefits are deferred, distant and uncertain.” “A record 23,000 students have already deferred their places this year.” Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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