What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
deferment
Example
The company requested a deferment of the project deadline until next month. [deferment: noun]
Example
He received a deferment for his student loan payments due to financial hardship. [deferment: noun]
postponement
Example
The concert was postponed until next week due to bad weather. [postponed: verb]
Example
The committee decided on a postponement of the vote until next month. [postponement: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Postponement is more commonly used than deferment in everyday language. Postponement is a more general term that can be used in various contexts, while deferment is more specific and often used in formal settings.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between deferment and postponement?
Deferment is typically associated with formal and legal contexts, while postponement can be used in both formal and informal contexts.