deliver
dih-LIHV-uh
Deliver (verb) means to bring or take something to its intended destination. Example: “The courier delivered the package this morning.”
verb
1
To bring or take something to its intended destination.
"The courier delivered the package this morning."
"Can you deliver these flowers to my mother's house?"
"The shop will deliver your new sofa to your door."
2
To produce the result that was expected or promised.
"The new manager promised big changes, and so far she has delivered."
"The team trained hard and delivered a great performance in the final."
"If you promise a quick reply, you must deliver."
3
To give birth to a child, or to assist in a birth.
"She delivered a healthy baby girl at 3am."
"The midwife has delivered hundreds of babies over her career."
"After a long labour, my sister delivered twins in the early hours of the morning."
4
To say or present something formally, such as a speech.
"The president delivered his speech to a packed hall."
"The headteacher delivered a short but moving address at the end of term."
"I'm nervous about delivering my best man's speech in front of so many guests."
How to use deliver
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo bring something to where it's meant to go, to come through on a promise, or to give birth.
Common pairings
deliver a package
deliver on a promise
deliver a speech
deliver a baby
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- delivers
- Past tense
- delivered
- Comparative
- more deliver
- Superlative
- most deliver
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The courier _____ the package this morning.
Etymology
From Old French delivrer, ultimately from Latin de- plus liberare, "to set free."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for deliver
See all rhymes for deliver →Frequently asked questions
What does “deliver” mean?
The word “deliver” means to bring or take something to its intended destination. In plain terms, to bring something to where it's meant to go, to come through on a promise, or to give birth.
How do you pronounce “deliver”?
“Deliver” is pronounced dih-LIHV-uh (/dɪˈlɪv.ɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “deliver” in a sentence?
Here is “deliver” used in a sentence: “The courier delivered the package this morning.”
What part of speech is “deliver”?
“Deliver” is a verb.
Where does the word “deliver” come from?
The word “deliver” comes from Latin. From Old French delivrer, ultimately from Latin de- plus liberare, "to set free.".
Is “deliver” a common word?
“Deliver” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “deliver” have?
“Deliver” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to bring or take something to its intended destination.
What is the difference between deliver and ship?
To ship something is to send it off — to dispatch it from where it starts. To deliver it is to bring it all the way to its final destination and hand it over. A parcel is shipped when it leaves the warehouse and delivered when it reaches your door. Delivery completes the journey.
Does deliver only mean carrying goods?
No. Beyond bringing parcels, deliver has several common senses. You can deliver a speech, deliver a baby, deliver good news, or deliver on a promise by doing what you said you would. The shared idea is producing or handing over something expected — whether an object, a result, or words.
What is an example of deliver?
A courier delivering a package to your home is the most familiar example. But you might also deliver a lecture to students, deliver a pizza across town, or deliver a strong performance on stage. In each case something is being brought or presented to the people meant to receive it.
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