Cool MateDeference vs Regard
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Deference
FormalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Regard
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
Most formal: DeferenceMost common: Regard
| Deference | Regard | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈdɛf(ə)r(ə)ns//🇺🇸 //ˈdɛf(ə)rəns// | 🇬🇧 /["/rɪˈɡɑːd/","/rɪˈɡɑːdz/","/rɪˈɡɑːdɪd/","/rɪˈɡɑːdɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/rɪˈɡɑːrd/","/rɪˈɡɑːrdz/","/rɪˈɡɑːrdɪd/","/rɪˈɡɑːrdɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | Respect and submission to someone else's opinions or decisions. | To think about someone or something in a certain way. |
| Example | She showed great deference to her mentor's advice during the project. | Many people regard freedom as a fundamental human right. |
| Register | Formal | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B2 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | show deference, act in deference, deference to authority, display deference, deference in opinions | highly, well, generally, appear to, seem to, tend to, as, with, steadily, intently, curiously, continue to, with |
| Antonyms | disrespect, insubordination, defiance | disregard, neglect, disdain |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'difference' when speaking., Using 'deference' in informal situations where it sounds awkward., Mistaking 'deference' for 'reference' in written texts. | Confused with 'regards' when closing emails., Using 'regard' without an object (it's typically used with one)., Confusing it with 'regard as' and misplacing the subject. |
| Usage notes | Use in formal contexts or discussions about respect. Less common in casual conversation. | Used to express opinion or feeling towards someone or something. Often used in both written and spoken English. May not be suitable in very casual conversations. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Deference vs Regard
What's the difference between Deference and Regard?
Deference: Respect and submission to someone else's opinions or decisions. Regard: To think about someone or something in a certain way.
Which is more formal: Deference and Regard?
Deference is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Deference and Regard?
Regard is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Deference: She showed great deference to her mentor's advice during the project. Regard: Many people regard freedom as a fundamental human right.
Can I use Deference and Regard interchangeably?
Not always. Deference and Regard are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.