What is delete? Pronunciation and usage in English

delete means . Learn how to pronounce and use delete through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of delete

deleteverb

/dɪˈliːt/
Definition & pronunciation of delete

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "delete" in English. It's a tricky one because it's often mispronounced! Here's a breakdown:

The Correct Pronunciation:

  • deh-LEET

Let's break that down further:

  • deh: Sounds like the "de" in "desk." It’s a short, clear vowel sound.
  • LEET: This is where most people stumble. It rhymes with "meet." The "ee" sound is clear and relatively long.

Here’s a more detailed explanation using phonetics (the International Phonetic Alphabet - IPA):

/dɪˈliːt/

  • dɪ: Sounds like the "di" in "did"
  • ˈliːt: This is the stressed syllable. “liːt” rhymes with “meet.”

Common Mispronunciations & Why They're Wrong:

  • "de-leet": The "eet" sound is usually a short "i" as in "it," not the long "ee" sound.
  • "deh-lete": The second syllable is often missed entirely.

Tips for Getting it Right:

  • Focus on the long "ee" sound in "leet." Really elongate that vowel.
  • Separate the syllables: “deh” – “LEET.”
  • Listen to examples: The best way to learn is to hear it! Here are a few resources:
    • Google Search: Type "how to pronounce delete" into Google and listen to the audio examples.
    • Forvo: (www.forvo.com) - This website lets you hear native speakers pronounce words in different languages.
    • YouTube: Search for "how to pronounce delete" on YouTube.

Would you like me to:

  • Record an example of how to pronounce it?
  • Give you some more practice words that use similar sounds?

Usage and examples with the word delete in English

Let's break down how to use the word "delete" in English. It's a versatile word with a few different meanings and uses.

1. Core Meaning: To Remove Permanently

  • Most Common Usage: This is the primary meaning - to completely remove something, usually making it impossible to recover.

    • Example: "I need to delete this embarrassing photo from my social media."
    • Example: "Please delete the old files from the server before backing up."
    • Example: “The software allows you to delete documents with a single click.”

2. Verbs that Use "Delete" as a Prefix (Adding a Specific Type of Removal)

This is where it gets a little more nuanced. "Delete" is often used before a noun to describe a specific method of removal.

  • Delete data: Remove information from a computer or database.
    • Example: "The company decided to delete all customer records that were compromised in the breach."
  • Delete a file: Remove a digital file.
    • Example: “I deleted the document because it wasn’t finished.”
  • Delete a memory: (Figuratively) Forget or suppress a memory.
    • Example: "She tried to delete the painful memory from her mind." (This is a more poetic or psychological use.)
  • Delete a line: (In programming or text editing) Remove a line of code or text.
    • Example: "The programmer used the 'delete' command to remove the error from the script.”

3. As a Command/Instruction

  • "Delete!" – A command to remove something.
    • Example: “The technician shouted, ‘Delete!’ while working on the computer.”

4. Informal Usage – To Get Rid Of

  • Sometimes, “delete” is used more casually to mean simply to get rid of something. This is less formal and can sound a little odd in some contexts.

    • Example: "I’m going to delete this app – it’s taking up too much space." (Better phrasing: "I’m going to uninstall this app...")

Key Points & Considerations:

  • Permanent Action: "Delete" almost always refers to a final, irreversible action. Be careful! There's often a "recycle bin" or "trash" folder to recover deleted items, but it's not a guarantee.
  • Context is Important: Pay attention to the surrounding words to understand what is being deleted.

Here’s a table to summarize:

Usage Meaning Example
Core Meaning To remove completely "I need to delete the old email."
Prefix (Data) Remove data from a system "They deleted the database records."
Prefix (File) Remove a digital file "I deleted the photo from my phone."
Prefix (Memory) Forget or suppress a memory "He tried to delete the memory."
Command An instruction to remove “Delete!”
Informal To get rid of "I’m going to delete this game." (Better: "I’m going to uninstall...")

To help me give you even more targeted information, could you tell me:

  • What are you trying to use "delete" in? (e.g., a writing assignment, a conversation, a technical context?)

Synonyms for the word delete

Practice with vocabulary delete

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Please _______ the old temporary files from the server regularly to free up space.
  2. The committee voted to _______ the controversial clause from the proposed legislation.
  3. Our data retention policy requires us to automatically _______ user accounts that have been inactive for over a year.
  4. You will need to _______ your account settings if you wish to change your notification preferences.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. The software allows users to _______ unwanted emails permanently. A) delete B) archive C) forward D) restore

  2. If the contract contains any clauses that are no longer applicable, you should _______ them before the final signing. A) review B) delete C) ratify D) omit

  3. Due to the unexpected technical issue, we had to _______ our production schedule by two days. A) postpone B) accelerate C) adjust D) halt

  4. For security reasons, employees are instructed to _______ all sensitive client information from their local drives after project completion. A) backup B) retrieve C) delete D) encrypt

  5. Before submitting the final version of your research paper, it is essential to _______ it carefully for any grammatical errors or typos. A) submit B) proofread C) paraphrase D) illustrate

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Original: The company decided to permanently remove the outdated policy from their official handbook. Rewrite: (Start with "The company decided to...")

  2. Original: Could you please get rid of the duplicate records in the database to ensure data integrity? Rewrite: (Start with "Could you please...")

  3. Original: We need to take out any irrelevant sections to make the report more concise and impactful. Rewrite: (Start with "We need to...")

Answer:

Exercise 1:

  1. delete
  2. omit
  3. delete
  4. modify

Exercise 2:

  1. A) delete
  2. B) delete, D) omit
  3. C) adjust
  4. C) delete
  5. B) proofread

Exercise 3:

  1. The company decided to delete the outdated policy from their official handbook.
  2. Could you please delete the duplicate records from the database to ensure data integrity?
  3. We need to omit any irrelevant sections to make the report more concise and impactful.

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