deferential

/,defə'renʃəl/

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Word: Deferential

Part of Speech: Adjective

Definition: The word "deferential" describes a way of behaving that shows respect and submission to someone else's wishes or opinions. When someone is deferential, they are polite and considerate, often putting others' needs or feelings before their own.

Usage Instructions:

• "Deferential" is often used to describe the attitude or behavior of a person towards someone in authority or someone they respect.
• You can use it to talk about how someone speaks or acts in a respectful manner.

Example Sentence:

• "The deferential student listened carefully to the teacher’s instructions and asked questions politely."

Advanced Usage:

You might encounter "deferential" in more formal or literary contexts, often when discussing social hierarchies or relationships. It can be used to describe actions, speech, or attitudes in various situations.

Word Variants:

• Deference (noun): The respectful behavior shown towards someone.
  • Example: "He showed great deference to his elders."
• Defer (verb): To yield to someone else's opinion or wishes.
  • Example: "She decided to defer to her colleague’s expertise on the project."

Different Meanings:

While "deferential" primarily relates to respect, it can also imply a sense of humility or submission, suggesting that one is willing to put aside their own opinions in favor of someone else's.

Synonyms:

• Respectful
• Polite
• Courteous
• Submissive
• Obedient

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

While there are no direct idioms or phrasal verbs specifically associated with "deferential," you might find related expressions that convey respect: - "Bowing to someone" means to show respect or submission to that person's authority. - "Show someone the ropes" can include a deferential attitude when teaching someone who is new or inexperienced.

Summary:

In summary, "deferential" is an adjective that describes a respectful and polite attitude towards others, especially those in authority. It often involves showing deference or yielding to someone else's wishes.

Academic

Adjective

1. showing deference

Synonyms

• deferent
• regardful