Delay, Postpone and Defer Are Not Interchangeable
A delay is a period of waiting. English has several words for putting things off, each carrying different assumptions about intent.
A delay is a period during which something is late or held up. The near-synonyms differ in who chose: a *delay* often happens to you, a *postponement* is a deliberate move to a later date, and to *defer* is to put something off out of choice or deference. A delayed train and a postponed match are not the same kind of event. The Old French root means to leave behind, from Latin *laxare*, to loosen.
- A period of waiting. *A two-hour delay.*
- To make late. *The storm delayed us.*
- To put off. *Don't delay.*
- Postpone — to move to a later date. *Postpone the meeting.*
- Defer — to put off by choice. *Defer the decision.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | delay | A long delay. |
| Plural | delays | Severe delays. |
| Verb | delay | Delay the launch. |
| Past | delayed | The flight was delayed. |
| Adjective | delayed | Delayed reaction. |
- The flight was delayed by fog.Involuntary.
- The match was postponed to Sunday.Chosen.
- He deferred his place at university.Deliberate.
Ways of putting things off
- Delay — something is late, often not by choice
- Postpone — deliberately moved to a stated later time
- Defer — put off by choice, often out of respect or prudence
- Adjourn — suspend a meeting to resume later
- Procrastinate — put off without good reason
Old French *delaier*, from *de-* plus *laier*, to leave, ultimately from Latin *laxare*, to loosen or relax.
What is the difference between delay and postpone?
A delay usually happens to you; a postponement is a deliberate decision to move something to a later time.
Is defer always about time?
No. Defer also means to yield to someone's judgement, as in defer to the chair. Both senses come from the same Latin verb.