What is delivery? Pronunciation and usage in English

delivery means . Learn how to pronounce and use delivery through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of delivery

deliverynoun

/dɪˈlɪv(ə)ri/
Definition & pronunciation of delivery

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "delivery" in English. It's a tricky one because it's often mispronounced! Here's a breakdown:

The Generally Accepted Pronunciation (American English):

  • deh-LIGH-vee

Let's break that down further:

  • deh: Like the "de" in "bed" or "read." A short, quick "de" sound.
  • LIGH: This is the key! It rhymes with "light." It’s pronounced with a clear “i” sound.
  • vee: Like the letter "V." A short "vee" sound.

The British English Pronunciation:

  • ** dih-LIV-uh-ree**

Here's how that breaks down:

  • dih: Like the "di" in "did" or "dinner".
  • LIV: Rhymes with "live".
  • uh: A very short, unstressed “uh” sound (like the “uh” in “about”).
  • ree: Like the letter "R"

Tips and Common Mistakes:

  • Don't say "deliver-ee." Many people accidentally add an extra "er" sound.
  • Don't slur the "ligh" part. It needs to be clear and distinct.
  • Stress: The primary stress is on the first syllable ("deh").

Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • Which English accent are you most interested in (e.g., American, British, Australian)?

Usage and examples with the word delivery in English

Let's break down how to use the word "delivery" in English. It's a surprisingly versatile word with multiple meanings! Here's a breakdown categorized by how you're using it:

1. Transportation & Logistics (Most Common)

  • Meaning: The act of transporting something from one place to another.
  • Examples:
    • "I'm waiting for the delivery of my new shoes." (You're waiting for the package to arrive.)
    • "The delivery driver arrived on time." (The person who brought the package.)
    • "We can track the delivery online." (You can see where the package is.)
    • "The delivery service is reliable." (The company transporting the package is good.)
    • “They made a rapid delivery of supplies to the relief effort.”

2. Presenting Information (Formal)

  • Meaning: The act of presenting a speech, lecture, presentation, or performance.
  • Examples:
    • "The speaker gave a captivating delivery." (The way the speaker presented their speech was excellent.)
    • "Her delivery was hesitant, but her message was clear." (How she spoke affected the clarity)
    • “The company’s annual delivery included a detailed report on their profits.” (The presentation of the report.)

3. Giving Something Out (Goods/Services)

  • Meaning: Providing something to someone, often for payment.
  • Examples:
    • "The restaurant offers online delivery." (They will bring the food to your house.)
    • "We provide regular deliveries of fresh produce." (We regularly send you fruits and vegetables.)
    • “The courier made a delivery of vital medication to the patient.” (A specific, important delivery was made.)

4. Birth (Medical)

  • Meaning: The process of giving birth to a baby.
  • Examples:
    • "She had a difficult delivery." (The childbirth was challenging.)
    • “The hospital prepared for a potential emergency delivery.” (Preparing for a premature birth)

5. Shipping/Dispatch (Business)

  • Meaning: The process of sending goods or documents. Often used in a business context.
  • Examples:
    • “We’re experiencing delays in our delivery times.” (This means there are problems shipping orders.)
    • “The warehouse managed the delivery of thousands of packages.”

6. (Less Common) A Focused Effort – This usage is more figurative.

  • Meaning: A concentrated effort to achieve something. Think of it as a "delivery" of a goal.
  • Example: "The team had a focused delivery on completing the project by the deadline."

Here’s a table summarizing the different meanings:

Category Meaning Example
Transportation The act of transporting something "The package is due for delivery."
Presentation Presenting information/a speech "Her delivery was engaging."
Providing Goods/Serv. Giving something to someone "They offer food delivery."
Birth (Medical) The process of giving birth "The delivery went smoothly."
Shipping/Dispatch Sending goods/documents “We managed the delivery efficiently.”
Figurative A concentrated effort to succeed “The team focused their delivery.”

Tips for Using “Delivery” Correctly:

  • Context is Key: The meaning of "delivery" will be clear from the context of the sentence.
  • Synonyms: Consider using synonyms like "transport," "shipment," "transmission," "presentation," or “birth” depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you using "delivery" in? (e.g., talking about ordering food, a business presentation, a medical situation, etc.)

Synonyms for the word delivery

Idioms of the word delivery

cash on delivery
a system of paying for goods when they are delivered

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