What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
postpone
Example
We had to postpone the party due to bad weather. [postpone: verb]
Example
The exam has been postponed until next week. [postponed: past participle]
defer
Example
I will defer my decision until I have more information. [defer: verb]
Example
The CEO deferred to the board's decision on the matter. [deferred: past tense]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Postpone is more commonly used than defer in everyday language. Postpone is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while defer is less common and has a more specific usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between postpone and defer?
Defer is more formal than postpone and is often used in formal contexts such as business or academic settings. Postpone is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
