Postpone vs. Cancel: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on October 5, 2023
Postpone vs. Cancel: "Postpone" means to delay an event to a later time, while "Cancel" means to annul or terminate an event.
Key Differences
"Postpone" and "Cancel" are both actions taken regarding events, but they signify different outcomes. When an event is postponed, it implies there's an intention to reschedule or conduct it at a later time. Canceling, on the other hand, signifies a complete termination of the event with no immediate plans to reschedule.
Consider the implications: Postponing an event means it still holds potential for occurrence, just at a later date or time. It offers a sense of hope or future anticipation. Canceling an event eliminates that potential, indicating that the event won't be taking place as initially intended.
In certain contexts, the decision to postpone or cancel can carry significant weight. For instance, postponing a major conference might mean logistical adjustments and rescheduling, but its essence remains. Canceling that same conference could lead to financial repercussions, lost opportunities, and perhaps disappointment.
In everyday scenarios, we often encounter both terms. A meeting could be postponed due to a key member's unavailability, suggesting it will occur once they're available. If that meeting is canceled, it might not occur at all, or its agenda could be absorbed into other meetings.
In summary, while both "Postpone" and "Cancel" deal with disruptions to planned events, "Postpone" provides an avenue for the event's future occurrence, whereas "Cancel" closes that avenue entirely.
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Comparison Chart
Meaning
To delay to a later time
To terminate or annul
Future Implication
Event is likely to happen later
Event will not happen as planned
Temporality
Temporary delay
Permanent termination
Outcome
Anticipation for future occurrence
No immediate plans to reschedule
Emotional Undertone
Offers hope
Often denotes finality
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Postpone and Cancel Definitions
Postpone
To defer or reschedule.
The game was postponed to next Saturday.*
Cancel
To nullify or invalidate.
The penalties cancel out the advantages.*
Postpone
To put off an action or event.
She chose to postpone her doctor's appointment.*
Cancel
To annul or invalidate
Cancel a credit card.
Postpone
To delay an event to a future time.
We decided to postpone the wedding due to the weather.*
Cancel
To decide or announce that (a planned or scheduled event) will not take place, especially with no intention of holding it at a later time
Cancel a picnic.
Cancel a soccer game.
Postpone
To suspend or hold off temporarily.
The manager decided to postpone the decision until further notice.*
Cancel
To cross out with lines or other markings.
Postpone
To cause to occur at a later date.
Unexpected circumstances made us postpone our plans.*
Cancel
To mark or perforate (a postage stamp or check, for example) to indicate that it may not be used again.
Postpone
To cause or arrange for (an event) to take place at a time later than the time at which it was originally supposed to happen.
Cancel
To neutralize or equalize; offset
Today's decline in stock price canceled out yesterday's gain.
Postpone
To delay or put off an event, appointment, etc.
Cancel
To remove (a common factor) from the numerator and denominator of a fractional expression.
Postpone
(obsolete) To place after in order; to deem less important.
Cancel
To remove (a common factor or term) from both sides of an equation or inequality.
Postpone
To defer to a future or later time; to put off; also, to cause to be deferred or put off; to delay; to adjourn; as, to postpone the consideration of a bill to the following day, or indefinitely.
His praise postponed, and never to be paid.
Cancel
To neutralize one another; counterbalance
Two opposing forces that canceled out.
Postpone
To place after, behind, or below something, in respect to precedence, preference, value, or importance.
All other considerations should give way and be postponed to this.
Cancel
The act or an instance of canceling; a cancellation.
Postpone
Hold back to a later time;
Let's postpone the exam
Cancel
(transitive) To cross out something with lines etc.
Cancel
(transitive) To invalidate or annul something.
He cancelled his order on their website.
Cancel
(transitive) To mark something (such as a used postage stamp) so that it can't be reused.
This machine cancels the letters that have a valid zip code.
Cancel
(transitive) To offset or equalize something.
The corrective feedback mechanism cancels out the noise.
Cancel
To remove a common factor from both the numerator and denominator of a fraction, or from both sides of an equation.
Cancel
To stop production of a programme.
Cancel
To suppress or omit; to strike out, as matter in type.
Cancel
(obsolete) To shut out, as with a railing or with latticework; to exclude.
Cancel
(slang) To kill.
Cancel
To cease to provide financial or moral support to (someone deemed unacceptable). Compare cancel culture.
Cancel
A cancellation (US); (nonstandard in some kinds of English).
Cancel
A control message posted to Usenet that serves to cancel a previously posted message.
Cancel
(obsolete) An enclosure; a boundary; a limit.
Cancel
(printing) The suppression on striking out of matter in type, or of a printed page or pages.
Cancel
(printing) The page thus suppressed.
Cancel
(printing) The page that replaces it.
Cancel
To inclose or surround, as with a railing, or with latticework.
A little obscure place canceled in with iron work is the pillar or stump at which . . . our Savior was scourged.
Cancel
To shut out, as with a railing or with latticework; to exclude.
Cancel
To cross and deface, as the lines of a writing, or as a word or figure; to mark out by a cross line; to blot out or obliterate.
A deed may be avoided by delivering it up to be cancelled; that is, to have lines drawn over it in the form of latticework or cancelli; though the phrase is now used figuratively for any manner of obliterating or defacing it.
Cancel
To annul or destroy; to revoke or recall.
The indentures were canceled.
He was unwilling to cancel the interest created through former secret services, by being refractory on this occasion.
Cancel
To suppress or omit; to strike out, as matter in type.
Cancel
An inclosure; a boundary; a limit.
A prison is but a retirement, and opportunity of serious thoughts, to a person whose spirit . . . desires no enlargement beyond the cancels of the body.
Cancel
The suppression or striking out of matter in type, or of a printed page or pages.
Cancel
A notation cancelling a previous sharp or flat
Cancel
Postpone indefinitely or annul something that was scheduled;
Call off the engagement
Cancel the dinner party
Cancel
Make up for;
His skills offset his opponent's superior strength
Cancel
Declare null and void; make ineffective;
Cancel the election results
Strike down a law
Cancel
Remove or make invisible;
Please delete my name from your list
Cancel
Of cheques or tickets
Cancel
To decide or announce that something will not take place.
The organizers had to cancel the event.*
Cancel
To terminate or call off.
He chose to cancel his subscription.*
Cancel
To mark or cross out for deletion.
Remember to cancel the incorrect entries.*
Cancel
To offset or counterbalance.
These benefits cancel out the disadvantages.*
FAQs
If an event is canceled, can it be rescheduled?
Yes, while "Cancel" indicates termination, the event can be reintroduced and rescheduled later.
Is "Postpone" always temporary?
Generally, "Postpone" implies a temporary delay with intentions for future occurrence.
Can "Cancel" be used in mathematical contexts?
Yes, it can mean to offset or negate another value.
Can "Cancel" mean to delete?
Yes, it can mean to mark for deletion or remove.
In sports, what does it mean to postpone a game?
It means the game will be played at a later date or time.
Do "Postpone" and "Cancel" have the same emotional impact?
Often, "Postpone" offers hope, while "Cancel" can denote finality or disappointment.
Can a decision be both postponed and canceled?
Yes, a decision can be postponed initially and later canceled.
Can "Postpone" refer to delays of short durations?
Yes, even short-term delays can be referred to as postponements.
Can "Postpone" be used in legal contexts?
Yes, hearings or decisions can be postponed to later dates.
Do all postponed events eventually occur?
Not necessarily, some postponed events might be further delayed or even canceled.
Does every canceled event indicate failure?
No, events can be canceled for various reasons, not always negative.
Is canceling always irreversible?
Not always, some decisions or actions can be reversed after being canceled.
If a subscription is canceled, does it end immediately?
It often ends at the end of the billing cycle, but policies vary.
What's the opposite of "Cancel" in transactions?
"Confirm" or "validate" can be seen as opposites.
Can a person be "postponed"?
Not directly, but a person's appointment or meeting can be.
Can "Postpone" be used for actions?
Yes, actions like decisions or tasks can be postponed.
Can a person be "canceled" in modern slang?
Yes, in contemporary slang, it means to reject or ostracize someone, often publicly.
Is postponing always a negative action?
Not always; it can be a strategic or necessary choice.
Does "Cancel" always need a reason?
Contextually, reasons help but aren't always required.
What does it mean to "cancel out" in math?
It means to negate or offset the effect of another value.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
