What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
postponement
Example
The postponement of the concert was due to the bad weather. [postponement: noun]
Example
We had to announce the postponement of the meeting until next week. [postponement: noun]
deferral
Example
The deferral of the payment was granted by the bank. [deferral: noun]
Example
I requested a deferral of my admission to the university until next year. [deferral: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Postponement is more common than deferral in everyday language, as it covers a wider range of contexts. However, deferral is more commonly used in financial or legal contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between postponement and deferral?
Both postponement and deferral can be used in formal and informal contexts, but deferral may be more commonly used in formal contexts due to its association with financial and legal matters.
