deliver
gb/dɪlˈɪvɚ/ us/dɪlˈɪvɚ/
A2
English
~ 1600
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
action
1
Bring and hand over
To take something to someone and give it to them.
Usage pattern:
to deliver [something] to [someone/place]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'deliver' with 'send'. 'Send' focuses on starting the process, while 'deliver' means bringing it to the destination.
Synonyms
bring (More general; does not imply a service or formal delivery.)
Antonyms
collect (Means to go and get something rather than take it somewhere.)
Collocations
deliver a package
|deliver goods
|deliver mail
|deliver an order
Themes
daily life
|business
|logistics
|daily_life
|communication
|transportation
Examples
- The courier will deliver the package by noon.
- They deliver fresh fruit to our office every week.
- The store delivers free of charge within the city.
- Can you deliver this letter to her?
- Food will be delivered to your door.
Learner examples
- I will deliver the book to you tomorrow.
- The man delivered a box to my house.
- She delivers milk every morning.
- We deliver food to old people.
- Please deliver this letter to the teacher.
Verb
B1
action
2
Give a speech or performance
To speak or perform in front of people in a planned way.
Usage pattern:
to deliver [a speech/performance/message]
Common mistake:
Some learners say 'say a speech'; correct is 'give' or 'deliver a speech'.
Synonyms
present (Common in business and academic contexts; slightly more formal.)
Antonyms
withhold (To keep information or a message instead of giving it.)
Collocations
deliver a speech
|deliver a lecture
|deliver a presentation
Themes
communication
|public speaking
|education
|arts_entertainment
Examples
- She delivered an inspiring speech at the conference.
- The actor delivered his lines perfectly.
- He delivered a lecture on climate change yesterday.
- The president will deliver a televised address tonight.
Learner examples
- She delivered a speech to the class.
- He delivered a talk about animals.
- The teacher delivered a lesson about history.
- The singer delivered a great song.
Verb
B2
action
3
Achieve what is promised
To do what you said you would do, or make what was expected happen.
Usage pattern:
to deliver [results/promise/service]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with physical delivery; here it means meeting expectations.
Synonyms
fulfill (Implies carrying out obligations, often formal.)
Antonyms
fail (Not succeed in doing what was promised.)
Collocations
deliver results
|deliver on a promise
|deliver quality
Themes
business
|performance
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Our team must deliver results by the end of the quarter.
- The company failed to deliver on its promises.
- She always delivers excellent service.
- The new model delivers better performance than the old one.
Learner examples
- He delivers good work every time.
- The shop delivers what it promises.
- They did not deliver good results.
- She delivers on her promise.
Verb
B2
action
4
Help give birth
To help when a baby or young animal is born.
Usage pattern:
to deliver [a baby/puppy/etc.]
Common mistake:
Some learners think 'deliver' here means 'bring' in general, but it is specific to childbirth.
Synonyms
assist in childbirth (More formal and explicit medical description.)
Antonyms
abort (End a pregnancy before birth.)
Collocations
deliver a baby
|deliver twins
Themes
health
|family
|animals
|body
Examples
- The doctor has delivered hundreds of babies.
- She was delivered by a midwife at home.
- The vet delivered six puppies last night.
Learner examples
- The doctor delivered the baby safely.
- A nurse delivered the baby at home.
- The vet delivered three kittens.
Verb
B2
action
5
Throw or hit skillfully
To throw or hit something towards someone or something with skill or strength.
Usage pattern:
to deliver [a blow/ball/strike]
Synonyms
strike (Focuses more on the action of hitting than delivering it skillfully.)
Antonyms
miss (Fail to hit the target.)
Collocations
deliver a punch
|deliver a blow
|deliver a ball
Themes
sports
|violence
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The boxer delivered a powerful punch to his opponent's jaw.
- She delivered the ball straight into the net.
- He delivered the final blow that ended the fight.
Learner examples
- The player delivered the ball into the goal.
- He delivered a strong kick.
- She delivered a hit to his arm.
Grammar
Dictionary form
deliver
IPA
GB/dɪlˈɪvɚ/
US/dɪlˈɪvɚ/
Syllables & stress
de - liv - er (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (liv)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: deliver
- 3rd Person Singular: delivers
- Present Participle: delivering
- Past: delivered
Word family
Forms
delivers
verb
delivering
verb
delivered
verb
Core family
delivery
noun A2
Related words
deliverer
noun
Advanced or less common
deliverable
adjective B2
deliverance
noun
Expressions
deliver on
1/dɪlˈɪvɚ ˈɔn/
phrasal verb
Fulfill promise or expectation
To do what you said you would do, or what people expect you to do.
Examples
- The team needs to deliver on its promises.
- She always delivers on her commitments.
deliver oneself of
1/dɪlˈɪvɚ wˌʌnsˈɛlf əv/
fixed phrase
formal
Formally express an opinion/statement
To say something in a formal way, especially an opinion or statement.
Examples
- He delivered himself of several criticisms during the meeting.
- She delivered herself of a long speech about policy.
deliver the goods
1/dɪlˈɪvɚ ðə ɡˈʊdz/
idiom
informal
Provide what is needed/expected successfully
To do what is needed or expected very well.
Examples
- We hired him because we knew he could deliver the goods.
- This phone really delivers the goods when it comes to battery life.
deliver up
1/dɪlˈɪvɚ ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
formal
Formally hand over something/someone
To give something or someone to another person, often because you have to by law or rule.
Examples
- The rebels were forced to deliver up their weapons.
- He delivered up the documents when asked by the court.