Deference Meaning
/ˈdɛfəɹəns/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounGreat respect.
nounThe willingness to carry out the wishes of others.
Sentence Examples
Then I'll work on the principle that deference is no substitute for obedience.
The children treated their elders with deference.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
She showed ____ to the elder by letting him speak first.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Then I'll work on the principle that ____ is no substitute for obedience.
Word Origin & History
From French déférence. Morphologically defer + -ence.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Michael in turn benefits from Tom. He loosens up a bit, stops talking so much like one of the bad novels he used to read, and learns to give his intellect a rest once in a while in deference to the emotions."
— 1983 December 31, Kenneth Hale-Wehmann, “The Business of Sex and Affection”, in Gay Community News, volume 11, number 24, page 8:
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
She showed ____ to the elder by letting him speak first.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
Then I'll work on the principle that ____ is no substitute for obedience.