name
Common
Delhi
DEHL-ee
Delhi (name) means a major city and union territory in northern India, home to the national capital, New Delhi. Example: “Millions of tourists visit Delhi to see its historic forts and markets.”
name
1
A major city and union territory in northern India, home to the national capital, New Delhi.
"The £4bn expressways form a diamond linking Delhi with the country's three other largest cities, Mumbai, Chennai and Calcutta, marking the beginning of more than £35bn of road projects."
— Randeep Ramesh, Speed limits rise as India falls in love with the car (2007)
"Millions of tourists visit Delhi to see its historic forts and markets."
2
Used informally to mean the government of India, similar to how "Washington" can mean the US government.
"Delhi announced new trade regulations this week."
How to use Delhi
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIndia's capital region, and sometimes shorthand for the Indian national government.
Common pairings
New Delhi
the streets of Delhi
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Millions of tourists visit _____ to see its historic forts and markets.
Etymology
From Hindustani dihlī/dēhli, of disputed ultimate origin.
Frequently asked questions
What does “Delhi” mean?
The word “Delhi” means a major city and union territory in northern India, home to the national capital, New Delhi. In plain terms, india's capital region, and sometimes shorthand for the Indian national government.
How do you pronounce “Delhi”?
“Delhi” is pronounced DEHL-ee (/ˈdɛl.i/ in IPA).
How do you use “Delhi” in a sentence?
Here is “Delhi” used in a sentence: “Millions of tourists visit Delhi to see its historic forts and markets.”
What part of speech is “Delhi”?
“Delhi” is a name.
Is “Delhi” a common word?
“Delhi” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “Delhi” have?
“Delhi” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a major city and union territory in northern India, home to the national capital, New Delhi.
What is the difference between "Delhi" and "New Delhi"?
Delhi is a major city and union territory in northern India, while New Delhi is the national capital located within it. New Delhi is a specific district that houses the government, so all of New Delhi is part of Delhi but Delhi is much larger than New Delhi alone.
Does "Delhi" ever refer to the Indian government?
Yes, Delhi is sometimes used informally to mean the government of India, in the same way "Washington" can stand for the US government. In this use, a phrase like "Delhi announced new policies" refers to the national authorities rather than the city itself.
How do you spell and pronounce "Delhi"?
Delhi is spelled with a silent h after the D, unlike the American city Deli or the food deli. It refers to the northern Indian city and territory that contains the capital, New Delhi.
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