deference
deference は英検1級・TOEIC 990・TOEFL 100・IELTS 7.5レベルの英単語で、「服従、恭順、敬意」という意味があります。発音記号は /ˈdɛfɚəns/ です。
意味一覧 (2件)
服従、恭順
解説 Definition
相手の判断・希望・地位を重んじ、自分の意見を引いて従うことを表す名詞です。上司、専門家、年長者、相手の強い希望などに対して、反論せず受け入れる場面で使われます。単なる礼儀より「譲って従う」動きが中心です。
Deference is the act of accepting another person's judgment, wishes, or higher position instead of insisting on your own view. It is often used when someone gives way to a boss, an expert, an older person, or a strong personal request. The focus is not just on polite respect, but on stepping back and following or yielding to the other person.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
deference は動詞 defer to someone「人の判断に従う・譲る」の名詞形として覚えると自然です。defer には「延期する」意味もありますが、defer to では相手の判断を前に出して自分を下げる感じになります。respect が心の中の尊重を広く表すのに対し、deference は in deference to her wishes のように、尊重した結果として従う・譲る行動まで含みます。
It helps to connect deference with the verb phrase defer to someone, which means to accept another person's judgment and give way to it. Defer can also mean "delay," but defer to has the sense of putting the other person's view ahead of your own. Unlike respect, which can stay in your mind, deference usually includes the action of yielding, as in in deference to her wishes.
例文
Out of deference to the manager's decision, the team dropped its original plan.
上司の判断に従って、チームは当初の計画を取り下げた。
She remained silent during the meeting in deference to her senior colleague's experience.
先輩の経験を重んじて、彼女は会議であえて口を出さなかった。
The event was postponed in deference to the family's wishes.
遺族の意向に従って、その行事は延期された。
敬意
(意味 2)解説 Definition
他の人に対して示す敬い、尊重の気持ちを指す名詞です。相手を高く評価し、その意見や立場を尊重する姿勢を表します。
Deference is respectful behavior toward someone, especially because they are older, more important, or more experienced. It often means accepting their opinion or wishes rather than insisting on your own. The word is common in formal or social situations.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
deference は、相手を高く見て丁重に扱う「敬意」を表す硬めの名詞です。respect よりも、自分が少し引いて相手の立場・年齢・専門性を重んじる響きがあります。show deference to elders、in deference to her wishes のように、年長者・専門家・地位の高い人・相手の希望に礼を尽くす場面でよく使われます。difference と混同せず、defer to someone「判断を尊重して譲る」と結びつけましょう。
Think of defer to someone, which means you let that person's judgment come first. Deference is the respectful attitude behind that action. It often appears in show deference to or in deference to, especially with elders, experts, authority, or someone's wishes.
例文
He treated his elders with great deference and respect.
彼は年長者に対して深い敬意と尊重を持って接した。
The student showed deference to the professor's expertise and knowledge.
その学生は教授の専門知識に対して敬意を示した。
In Japanese culture, deference toward senior colleagues is highly valued.
日本文化では、上級同僚への敬意は高く評価されている。
deference の語源・成り立ち Etymology
ラテン語 deferre「運び下ろす、差し出す」に由来します。de-「下へ」+ ferre「運ぶ」から、自分を一段下げて相手に譲る感覚が生まれました。同根語に refer、transfer があります。
Deference comes from Latin deferre, meaning "to carry down" or "to bring before." It is built from de- meaning "down" and ferre meaning "carry." From this, the word developed the idea of lowering yourself and yielding to another person.
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