- The former president made a conspicuous display of his gleaming wristwatch; he had
just signed a promotional contract with the watch’s manufacturer. - Conspicuous consumption is a variety of showing off that consists of making a public
display of buying and using a lot of expensive stuff.
The opposite of conspicuous is inconspicuous.
deference (DEF ur uns) n submission to another’s will; respect; courtesy
Mnemonic:When there is a DIFFERENCE between your rank and that of the person above you
(boss/employee, parent/child, teacher/student), you will show DEFERENCE.To show deference to another is to place that person’s wishes ahead of your own.
- Dean showed deference to his grandfather: He let the old man have first dibs on the
birthday cake. - Danny stopped texting at the dinner table in deference to the wishes of his mother.
To show deference to another is to defer to that person.
- Joe was supposed to go first, but he deferred to Steve, who had been waiting longer.
To show deference is also to be deferential (def uh REN shul).
- Joe was being deferential when he allowed Steve to go first.