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Definition of deferral

deferral

/dɪˈfɜːr.əl/
de · fer · ral
Plural:deferrals
•
Adjective:deferred
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deferral Lexical Profile

deferral Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The act or an instance of postponing an action, event, or obligation to a later time.

Example

"The student requested a one-year deferral of her university admission to complete an internship abroad."

2

In accounting, the recognition of a revenue or expense in a period after the cash has actually been received or paid.

Example

"The annual audit reviewed the company's tax deferrals and prepaid insurance accounts."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
View all antonyms for deferral

Word Nuance & Usage

'Deferral' (also 'deferment') means a postponement, whereas 'deference' means respectful submission or yielding to another's judgment.

• Rhymes for deferral

• Nearby Words

deferential
deferment
deferrable
deferral
deferred
deffo
defiance

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in the 19th century from the verb 'defer' plus the noun-forming suffix '-al'; 'defer' comes via Old French from Latin 'differre', meaning 'to carry apart' or 'put off'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Deferral. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/deferral
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