2 syllables: De, lete. Stress on lete.
dil-EET
/dɪˈlit/
Delete is pronounced dil-EET (/dɪˈlit/). It has two syllables (De-lete), with the stress on "lete". Delete is a transitive verb meaning to remove or erase data, files, or information, often from a device or document. It can also refer to canceling or nullifying something. In most contexts it’s a formal-to-neutral term used in computing, editing, and everyday deletion tasks. The pronunciation centers on a stressed second syllable and a clear /d/ onset followed by a long /iː/ vowel.
verbDelete is a transitive verb meaning to remove or erase data, files, or information, often from a device or document. It can also refer to canceling or nullifying something. In most contexts it’s a formal-to-neutral term used in computing, editing, and everyday deletion tasks. The pronunciation centers on a stressed second syllable and a clear /d/ onset followed by a long /iː/ vowel.
Key practice tips: practice with minimal pairs like level/leet or detail/delet(e) to feel the difference in vowel length and timbre. Use a mirror or recording to ensure your lips and jaw are moving adequately for the /iː/ and /t/ closure. Speak slowly at first, then build speed while maintaining the long vowel. Focus on a clean release from /iː/ into /t/.
"Please delete the unnecessary files from your computer."
"She decided to delete the paragraph from the draft."
"The app will delete your message after a short countdown."
Pronounce as dɪˈliːt with the stress on the second syllable. Start with a short /d/ release, move into a short /ɪ/ in the first syllable, then a clear long /iː/ in the second syllable, and end with a /t/. Think: di-LEET. For audio references, compare to standard American and British pronunciations; you’ll hear the same /dɪˈliːt/ pattern in both, with minimal regional vowel variation.
Common errors: over-shortening the second syllable making it dɪˈlɪt or dɪ-ˈlət, and trailing the final /t/ with a weak release. Correct by ensuring a clear /iː/ vowel and a crisp final /t/. Practice with a light, explosive /t/ release, not a nasalized or voiceless lurch. Maintain a steady, even pace between syllables to keep the long vowel prominent.
Across US/UK/AU, the core /dɪˈliːt/ pronunciation stays similar, with rhotic effects in American English not affecting /t/. UK and US both retain /ˈliː/ while AU follows similar vowel length but may have a more clipped first syllable for some speakers. The key variation is minor vowel quality; non-rhotic accents in some UK speakers do not alter the long /iː/ significantly.
Difficulties center on the long /iː/ in the second syllable and the final /t/ release. Learners may reduce /ˈliːt/ to /ˈlɪt/ or fail to keep the long vowel, sounding like ‘dih-lit.’ Emphasize a true long /iː/ from inside the mouth with a tall tongue and a crisp alveolar /t/. Control breath to avoid a clipped or delayed finish.
Yes, the second syllable’s long /iː/ is a standout feature; compared to other two-syllable verbs, delete’s emphasis is tight on -leet, not -lət. The triplet d-ɪ-/liːt requires a precise tongue blade height; ensure the /iː/ is unrounded and held to a steady mid-palate position before releasing into a clean /t/.
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Tips: exaggerate the second syllable briefly in practice, then normalize speed; use minimal pairs to sharpen vowel length and consonant accuracy.
Delete comes from Latin delere, meaning to wipe out, destroy, or erase. The Latin verb delēre is formed from de- (remove, remove from) and -lère (to wipe away, erase). The English adoption of delete traces to the 15th–16th centuries through Old French deleter or deliter, evolving in English as delete by the 17th century with the sense of erasing or striking out. The word’s semantic path moved from physical destruction to digital erasure as computing concepts emerged in the 20th century. In modern usage, delete has expanded to include data removal, document editing, and command-line or UI actions, while retaining its core sense of erasing or canceling something previously present. The pronunciation has stabilized around /dɪˈliːt/ in General American and /dɪˈliːt/ in most varieties, with occasional regional vowel length variations. First known uses include technical writings and legal language where removing items from records or documents was described, then permeating everyday tech language as computers and software became ubiquitous. The evolution mirrors broader shifts in information management, from physical deletion to digital deletion, while preserving the root idea of taking something out of existence.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "Delete" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "Delete" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Delete" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Delete"
-ect sounds
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