delivery
High Frequency (B1+)Neutral; used across all registers from informal to formal.
Definition
Meaning
The act of taking something to a person or place.
The way in which someone speaks or performs; the process of giving birth; the act of releasing a ball or other object in sports.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun. The plural 'deliveries' often refers to multiple items being delivered or, in sports/medicine, multiple instances of the act.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In sports commentary, 'delivery' for a bowler in cricket is chiefly British. In the US, 'delivery' is common in retail and baseball (pitch delivery). The phrase 'take delivery of' is formal and used in both.
Connotations
In UK business, 'delivery' strongly implies a physical parcel/courier service. In US business, it can also mean 'fulfillment of a promise' (e.g., 'on-time delivery of the project').
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in everyday UK English due to common use for postal/parcel services ('a delivery van', 'the delivery driver').
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
delivery of [something] (formal)delivery to [somewhere/someone]delivery from [somewhere/someone]delivery by [method/agent]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “cash on delivery (C.O.D.)”
- “a difficult delivery (childbirth)”
- “delivery is half the battle (performance matters)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to logistics, supply chain, or fulfillment of contractual obligations.
Academic
Can refer to the manner of presenting a speech or lecture ('his delivery was monotone').
Everyday
Most commonly used for postal packages, food, or online shopping orders.
Technical
In medicine: childbirth. In sports: the action of bowling (cricket) or pitching (baseball).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The postman will deliver the parcel before 1 pm.
- She delivered a brilliant lecture on quantum mechanics.
American English
- UPS delivers packages seven days a week here.
- The pitcher delivered a fastball right down the middle.
adverb
British English
- This service delivers nationwide.
- The speech was delivered passionately.
American English
- The pizza was delivered hot and fresh.
- He delivered the line perfectly.
adjective
British English
- The delivery driver was very friendly.
- We offer a next-day delivery option.
American English
- The delivery date is set for Friday.
- There's a delivery fee for orders under $25.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I am waiting for a delivery from the shop.
- The delivery comes on Tuesdays.
- We offer free delivery on orders over £50.
- Her delivery of the news was very calm.
- The company guarantees delivery within two working days.
- The comedian's timing and delivery had the audience in stitches.
- The successful delivery of the project hinged on seamless interdepartmental collaboration.
- The midwife assisted with a particularly complicated delivery.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a DELIVERY van bringing a LIVE(ly) package to your door. De-LIVE-ry.
Conceptual Metaphor
DELIVERY IS TRANSFER OF CONTROL (of an object, a message, a baby).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'доставка' only. It also covers 'роды' (childbirth) and 'манера исполнения/подачи' (performance style). 'Speech delivery' is not 'доставка речи', but 'манера выступления'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'delivery' as a verb (the verb is 'deliver'). Incorrect: 'They will delivery it tomorrow.' Correct: 'They will deliver it tomorrow.'
- Overusing 'delivery' for abstract concepts where 'provision' or 'implementation' is better.
Practice
Quiz
In which context does 'delivery' NOT typically refer to bringing a physical object?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it can also refer to the manner of giving a speech ('her delivery was clear'), the act of giving birth, or the way a ball is bowled/pitched in sports.
'Delivery' focuses on the final act of bringing something to its destination. 'Shipment' often refers to the goods being transported or the process of sending them, especially over long distances.
Yes, in everyday language, 'a delivery' often means a single parcel or batch of items that arrive together. E.g., 'There's a delivery for you at the door.'
Yes, but usually in specific collocations like 'cash on delivery' (pay when you receive the item). More common is 'upon delivery', as in 'Payment is due upon delivery'.
Collections
Part of a collection
Shopping
A2 · 50 words · Vocabulary for buying and selling goods.
Advanced Communication
C1 · 47 words · Sophisticated language for professional communication.
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