deferential

adjective

def·​er·​en·​tial ˌde-fə-ˈren-chəl 

: showing or expressing respect and high regard due a superior or an elder : showing or expressing deference

listened with deferential attention to his grandfather

deferential to the judge's decision

deferentially

ˌde-fə-ˈren-chə-lē 

adverb

Synonyms of deferential

• respectful
• deferent

Examples of deferential in a Sentence

the man had the deferential attitude of someone who had been a servant his entire life

Recent Examples on the Web

The biggest question might be if Maxey becomes too deferential to the detriment of the 76ers. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 4 July 2026

It’s taken me a long time to kind of let go of being deferential, that someone else knows better. — Angie Martoccio, Rolling Stone, 30 June 2026

Courts generally provide a highly deferential review to private associations in their application of rules, especially those empowered by a CBA. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 23 June 2026

Moreover, kids who grow up with robots may have unrealistic expectations for social interactions if the machine is deferential. — Michelle Del Rey, USA Today, 17 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

defer(ence) + -ential, by analogy with other Latin-derived words where the suffixes -ence and -ential imply one another (as prudence, prudential)

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for deferential

• consequential
• existential
• exponential
• influential
• nonessential
• penitential
• precedential
• preferential
• presidential
• providential
• referential
• residential

Kids Definition

deferential

adjective

def·​er·​en·​tial ˌdef-ə-ˈren-chəl 

: showing or expressing deference

deferentially

-ˈrench-(ə-)lē 

adverb

Medical Definition

deferential

adjective

def·​er·​en·​tial ˌdef-ə-ˈren-chəl 

: deferent