“Delay” vs. “Postpone”: What’s the Difference?

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The difference between “delay” and “postpone”

  • The main difference between "delay" and "postpone" is that a delay generally involves an unplanned or undesired interruption, whereas postponing implies a planned or deliberate change.
  • "Delay" can also suggest a sense of frustration or inconvenience, while "postpone" suggests a more deliberate or thoughtful decision.
  • Another difference is that postponing usually involves a set plan for rescheduling, while delaying may be more open-ended and dependent on circumstances.
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What is the definition of “delay” and “postpone”?

Delay
  • "Delay" means to put off an action or event to a later time or date than originally planned.
  • It can refer to a situation where something is held up or made to take longer than expected.
  • Delaying can also suggest a lack of progress or movement in a particular area.
Postpone
  • "Postpone" means to reschedule or defer an event or action to a later time or date.
  • It can be done voluntarily or involuntarily, such as due to unexpected circumstances or a change in plans.
  • Postponing can also imply a temporary delay in order to make necessary arrangements or preparations.

Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?

“Delay” is the more popular variant on the web.
More popular
Delay
698,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. The construction on the highway caused a major delay in my commute.
  2. The flight was delayed for several hours due to a technical problem with the aircraft.
  3. I had to delay our dinner plans because of an unexpected doctor's appointment.
Postpone
40,100,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. We decided to postpone the meeting until next week when more team members could attend.
  2. The baseball game was postponed due to the heavy rain.
  3. I had to postpone my vacation because of work obligations.
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