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

One indication of the push for more deferential leadership at the DOJ is the elevation of the Missouri prosecutor Thomas Albus to oversee election investigations nationwide. —Michael Scherer, The Atlantic, 8 Feb. 2026

The Meloni-like cherub is shown in a deferential pose toward the king. —Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 3 Feb. 2026

The memorandum filed Monday argues the court should not adopt the deferential standard of arbitrary or capricious. —Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 27 Jan. 2026

In context of all the hilariously bitchy and awkwardly deferential comments Mustaine has made about Metallica in recent years, this choice of a bonus track initially struck me as a desperate troll. —Eli Enis, Pitchfork, 26 Jan. 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
• evidential
• existential
• exponential
• influential
• nonessential
• penitential
• precedential
• preferential
• presidential
• providential
• referential

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