deferential
/dɛfəˈrɛnʃ(ə)l
/adjective
Showing deference; respectful: people were always deferential to him...
- Some bosses like their employees to be blunt and assertive; others like them respectful and deferential.
- He felt that he was always deferential and respectful.
- He was accompanied by a friend, a man of imposing physique, whose deferential manner and constant attention showed that his position was one of dependence.
Synonyms
obsequious, humble, respectful, considerate, attentive, thoughtful;
courteous, polite, civil, dutiful, reverent, reverential, awed;
obedient, submissive, subservient, fawning, toadying, yielding, acquiescent, complaisant, compliant, pliant, tractable, biddable, manageable, docile, slavish
dated mannerly
rare regardful, obeisant
Derivatives
deferentially
/ adverb ...- But one cannot please all of the people all of the time: occasionally someone would step up onto the stage and ask deferentially, ‘Gentlemen, could you play something less modern?’
- ‘I won't attempt to sing it to you,’ she says deferentially.
- A uniformed retainer interrupts us deferentially to say that ‘His Highness’ is ready to receive us.
Origin
Early 19th century: from deference, on the pattern of pairs such as prudence, prudential.