delete

[dih-leet]

verb (used with object)

deleted, deleting 

1. to strike out or remove (something written or printed); cancel; erase; expunge.

   Synonyms: eradicate

delete

/ dɪˈliːt /

verb

1. (tr) to remove (something printed or written); erase; cancel; strike out

Other Word Forms

• deletable adjective
• redelete verb (used with object)
• undeleted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of delete¹

1485–95; < Latin dēlētus (past participle of dēlēre to destroy), equivalent to dēl- destroy + -ē- thematic vowel + -tus past participle suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of delete¹

C17: from Latin dēlēre to destroy, obliterate

Synonym Study

See cancel.

Example Sentences

"We would delete this chat for you to never be found," they insisted.

From BBC

They have since deleted their Signal account and can no longer be contacted.

From BBC

This meant he deleted social media and avoided the news as much as possible.

From Salon

The Department of Homeland Security deleted a video Wednesday about deportation that featured Theo Von after the comedian asked the agency to either to pay him or take it down.

From Los Angeles Times

The post was quickly deleted, and apparently his own staff wasn’t sure if he had meant it to be published.

From Salon

Related Words

• annul 
• black out 
• cross out 
• cut out 
• destroy 
• eliminate 
• erase 
• expunge 
• omit 
• remove 
• wipe out 

When To Use

What is basic definition of delete?

Delete means to remove or destroy something, specifically something that is written, printed, or stored on a computer.Before the Internet, delete often referred to removing something from drafts of books, letters, newspapers, and other materials. Today, delete often refers to either hitting a key on a keyboard that erases text or telling a computer to get rid of a file, as by placing a document in the trash can. A person may also want to delete (deactivate) a social media account.

• Real-life examples: When you’re writing an essay, you might delete some paragraphs and add others. To better use data storage space, you might delete all of your junk email or delete a bunch of photos from your smartphone.



• Used in a sentence: The reporter deleted the final two paragraphs of the story in order to make it shorter.