delta
4 synonyms for delta, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The fan-shaped area of low, often marshy land where a river splits into channels before reaching the sea.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use delta
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
the Mississippi delta
a delta of change
river delta
Etymology
From the Greek letter delta (Δ), whose triangular shape resembles a river delta — itself borrowed from an earlier Phoenician word for "door".
Full origin of delta →Frequently asked questions
What does “delta” mean?
The word “delta” means the fan-shaped area of low, often marshy land where a river splits into channels before reaching the sea. In plain terms, either the triangular land where a river fans out into the sea, or a small measurable difference between two things.
How do you pronounce “delta”?
“Delta” is pronounced DEHL-tuh (/ˈdɛltə/ in IPA).
How do you use “delta” in a sentence?
Here is “delta” used in a sentence: “The Nile delta supports millions of people through its fertile soil.”
What part of speech is “delta”?
“Delta” is a noun.
Where does the word “delta” come from?
The word “delta” comes from Greek. From the Greek letter delta (Δ), whose triangular shape resembles a river delta — itself borrowed from an earlier Phoenician word for "door".
Is “delta” a common word?
“Delta” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “delta” have?
“Delta” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the fan-shaped area of low, often marshy land where a river splits into channels before reaching the sea.
What is the difference between a delta and an estuary?
A delta is the fan-shaped area of low, often marshy land where a river splits into channels before reaching the sea, building up deposited sediment. An estuary is the wider tidal mouth of a river where fresh and salt water mix, and it does not necessarily form the branching, sediment-built shape of a delta.
Why is a river delta called a delta?
A river delta takes its name from the Greek letter delta, whose uppercase form is a triangle (Δ). The fan-shaped, roughly triangular spread of land where a river splits into channels resembles that shape.
