How to pronounce defer
Say it like dih-FUR. Defer has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce defer. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- dih
- FUR
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Defer pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- dihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- FURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
American vs British pronunciation of defer
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: dih-FUR.
What does defer mean?
- To delay or postpone.“We're going to defer the decision until we have all the facts.”
- to postpone induction into military service.
- After winning the opening coin toss, to postpone until the start of the second half a team's choice of whether to kick off or receive (and to allow the opposing team to make this choice at the start of the first half).
- To submit to the opinion or desire of others in respect to their judgment or authority.
- To render, to offer.
Where does defer come from?
Originally a variant of (and hence a doublet of) differ; from Middle English differren (“to postpone”), from Old French differer, from Latin differō.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with defer
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of defer.
Questions about saying defer
How do you pronounce defer?
Say dih-FUR. The American pronunciation is /dɪˈfɝ/. In British English it is /dɪˈfɜː/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in defer?
Defer has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FUR). Broken into parts: dih · FUR.
Is defer pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /dɪˈfɜː/ (dih-FUR).