delete
B1Neutral to formal. Common in technical, administrative, and everyday contexts. Not slang.
Definition
Meaning
To remove or erase something, especially written or recorded information, from its original location.
To permanently remove a file, text, or data from a digital system or document; to officially remove or omit a person or thing from a list or group.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily transitive. Implies a deliberate, often documented or technical removal, contrasting with 'erase' which can be physical (a board) or digital, and 'remove' which is more general.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is almost identical in both varieties. 'Delete' is universally used for digital contexts. 'Rub out' is a BrE alternative for physical erasure, but is not a direct synonym for 'delete' in digital contexts.
Connotations
In both, the term carries a connotation of finality and intentionality, particularly in IT/legal contexts.
Frequency
Equally frequent in both UK and US English, especially post-digital revolution.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
DELETE + NP (object)DELETE + NP + FROM + NPVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[to] hit delete (on something)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in IT policies, data management, and record-keeping. E.g., 'Please delete the old client records in line with GDPR.'
Academic
Used in research concerning data editing, censorship, and textual analysis. E.g., 'The editor chose to delete the redundant paragraph.'
Everyday
Common in instructions for using phones, computers, and social media. E.g., 'I accidentally deleted the photos from my holiday.'
Technical
The standard command in computing, programming, and database management. E.g., 'The `DELETE` statement in SQL removes records from a table.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- You need to delete those duplicate entries from the spreadsheet.
- The editor decided to delete the controversial chapter before publication.
American English
- Just delete the email if it looks like spam.
- The system admin will delete inactive accounts next week.
adjective
British English
- The deleted scenes from the film are on the DVD extras.
- She tried to recover the deleted files from the recycle bin.
American English
- Check the deleted items folder in your email client.
- The deleted comment left a noticeable gap in the thread.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Click here to delete the picture.
- I deleted the wrong message.
- You should regularly delete old files to save space.
- The teacher asked me to delete the last sentence from my essay.
- The law requires companies to delete personal data upon request.
- Once you confirm, the data will be permanently deleted with no option for recovery.
- The censor's mandate was to delete any content deemed subversive from the historical archive.
- The software includes a feature that allows you to selectively delete metadata from the documents.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of the keyboard key labelled 'Delete'. Its function is to DE-Lete (remove) letters.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWLEDGE/INFORMATION IS AN OBJECT THAT CAN BE REMOVED FROM A CONTAINER.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'удалить' (which is correct for computing) vs 'стереть' (to erase physically). 'Delete' is not 'delate' (which is not a standard English word).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'delete' intransitively (e.g., 'I deleted' without an object is incomplete).
- Confusing spelling with 'dilate'.
- Using 'delete' for physical destruction of an object (use 'destroy' or 'dispose of').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'delete' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Delete' is strongly associated with removing digital or recorded information. 'Erase' can be used digitally but also for physically removing marks (e.g., erase a pencil mark, erase a whiteboard).
Yes, but it's less common. In computing, you might hear 'Hit the delete' or refer to 'a delete operation'. The more common noun is 'deletion'.
Yes, it's a recognised verb in computing meaning to reverse a deletion, often before a system permanently clears the data. It is less common in general language.
On a Mac, the key is labelled 'delete' but often functions as a backspace. 'Fn + Delete' deletes forward. On Windows, the 'Delete' key deletes characters ahead of the cursor, while 'Backspace' deletes behind.
Collections
Part of a collection
Technology Basics
A2 · 48 words · Everyday technology and digital devices.