deliberately
dih-LIHB-ruht-lee
Deliberately (adverb) means On purpose; intentionally, not by accident. Example: “I deliberately arrived early so that I could choose the best seat.”
adverb
1
On purpose; intentionally, not by accident.
"He deliberately broke that, didn't he?"
"I deliberately arrived early so that I could choose the best seat."
"The little boy deliberately knocked over the tower to make his sister laugh."
"She deliberately left her phone at home to avoid distractions."
2
Slowly and carefully, taking one's time.
"She deliberately stepped across the icy path, testing each footstep before moving on."
"The old man deliberately counted out the coins and placed them on the counter."
"He spoke deliberately, choosing each word with care."
"After being called upon, he strode deliberately up to the blackboard."
How to use deliberately
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDoing something on purpose, or doing it in a slow, careful way.
Common pairings
deliberately ignored
deliberately vague
act deliberately
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more deliberately
- Superlative
- most deliberately
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I _____ arrived early so that I could choose the best seat.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for deliberately
See all rhymes for deliberately →Frequently asked questions
What does “deliberately” mean?
The word “deliberately” means on purpose; intentionally, not by accident. In plain terms, doing something on purpose, or doing it in a slow, careful way.
How do you pronounce “deliberately”?
“Deliberately” is pronounced dih-LIHB-ruht-lee (/dɪˈlɪb.(ə.)ɹət.li/ in IPA).
How do you use “deliberately” in a sentence?
Here is “deliberately” used in a sentence: “She deliberately left her phone at home to avoid distractions.”
What part of speech is “deliberately”?
“Deliberately” is an adverb.
Is “deliberately” a common word?
“Deliberately” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “deliberately” have?
“Deliberately” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: on purpose; intentionally, not by accident.
What is the difference between deliberately and intentionally?
Both mean on purpose rather than by accident, and in most sentences they are interchangeable. Deliberately can carry an extra shade of careful thought or unhurried action, reflecting its second sense of "slowly and carefully." Intentionally is purely about intent.
What is the difference between deliberately and purposefully?
Deliberately means on purpose, not by accident: "she deliberately left the door open." Purposefully means with determination and a clear aim, describing manner rather than intent: "he strode purposefully to the podium." Writers often reach for purposefully when they actually mean deliberately or purposely.
Can deliberately mean slowly?
Yes. Besides "on purpose," deliberately has a second sense: slowly and carefully, taking one's time. In "he spoke slowly and deliberately," the word describes an unhurried, measured manner rather than intention.
What is the opposite of deliberately?
The usual opposites are accidentally, unintentionally, and inadvertently, all meaning "not on purpose." For the "slowly and carefully" sense, the opposites are words like hastily or carelessly.
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