deliberately
gb/dɪlˈɪbɹɪtli/ us/dɪlˈɪbɹɪtli/
B1
English
~ 2900
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B1
property
1
On purpose; intentionally
When you do something because you want to, not by mistake.
Usage pattern:
to do [something] deliberately
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'deliberately' with 'carefully'. 'Carefully' means with attention to detail, not necessarily with intention to cause or avoid something.
Synonyms
intentionally (Very close in meaning; slightly more formal.)
|
purposely (Similar meaning but often used for emphasis.)
Antonyms
accidentally (Indicates something happened without planning or intention.)
Collocations
act deliberately
|speak deliberately
|deliberately ignore
|deliberately avoid
|do deliberately
Themes
communication
|daily life
|behavior
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She deliberately ignored his phone calls.
- The company deliberately delayed the release of the report.
- He spoke slowly and deliberately to make sure everyone understood.
- They deliberately chose a smaller venue to create a more intimate atmosphere.
Learner examples
- I deliberately left my phone at home.
- He deliberately broke the glass.
- She deliberately walked away from the group.
- We deliberately chose the cheaper hotel.
adverb
B2
property
2
Slowly and carefully
In a slow and careful way, often so people can understand or notice.
Usage pattern:
to move/speak [deliberately]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this sense with 'intentionally'. Here it means 'in a slow and careful way', not 'on purpose'. Context shows which is meant.
Synonyms
slowly (Focuses only on speed, without implying careful thought.)
|
measuredly (Emphasizes controlled and considered pace, often formal.)
Antonyms
hastily (Implies doing something too quickly and without enough thought.)
Collocations
move deliberately
|speak deliberately
|walk deliberately
|act deliberately
Themes
communication
|behavior
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He spoke deliberately so that everyone could follow his argument.
- The actor moved deliberately across the stage to build suspense.
- She placed each card deliberately on the table.
Learner examples
- He walked deliberately to the door.
- She spoke deliberately so I could understand.
- The teacher moved deliberately around the room.
Grammar
Dictionary form
deliberately
IPA
GB/dɪlˈɪbɹɪtli/
US/dɪlˈɪbɹɪtli/
Syllables & stress
de - lib - er - ately (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (lib)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: deliberately
- Plural: deliberatelies
Word family
Forms
deliberatelies
noun
Core family
deliberate
adjective B2
deliberation
noun C1
Negative and opposite forms
Advanced or less common
deliberative
adjective
Expressions
deliberately avoid
1/dɪlˈɪbɹɪtli əvˈɔɪd/
fixed phrase
Avoid on purpose
To stay away from someone or something because you want to.
Examples
- He deliberately avoided eye contact with her.
- They deliberately avoided talking about politics.
deliberately ignore
1/dɪlˈɪbɹɪtli ɪɡnˈɔɹ/
fixed phrase
Ignore on purpose
To not listen to or look at someone or something because you want to.
Examples
- She deliberately ignored his questions.
- He felt she was deliberately ignoring him all evening.
do something deliberately
1/dˈu sˈʌmθɪŋ dɪlˈɪbɹɪtli/
fixed phrase
Act on purpose
To do something because you want to, not by accident.
Examples
- I didn’t hurt him by mistake – I did it deliberately.
- She spilled the drink deliberately to get attention.