deliver
to bring or hand overThe courier will deliver the package tomorrow morning.
The courier will bring or hand over the package tomorrow morning.
To take goods, messages, or items to a person or place.
The postman delivers mail to our house every day.
The mail carrier brings mail to our house daily.
Often used with objects like packages, letters, or food.
To provide or produce the promised, desired, or expected result.
The team delivered excellent results this quarter.
The team produced the expected high-quality results this quarter.
Common in business and personal contexts to indicate success or fulfillment.
To give a speech or performance to an audience.
She delivered a powerful speech at the conference.
She gave a strong and impactful speech at the conference.
Often used for formal or public speaking.
To assist in giving birth to a baby.
The midwife delivered the baby safely.
The midwife helped the mother give birth to the baby without complications.
Medical term for the process of childbirth.
Collocations
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Common Mistakes with 'Deliver'
Avoid using 'deliver' to mean 'say' in formal contexts. For example, say 'She delivered a speech' instead of 'She delivered that she would give a speech.'
Gold Rule
When to Use 'Deliver'
'Deliver' is best used when something physical (like a package) or a result (like a project) is handed over or achieved. It is not typically used to mean 'say' in formal writing.
Word Origin
Middle English from Latin 'dēlīberāre' (to weigh carefully), from 'dē-' (thoroughly) + ' līberāre' (to free, deliver). Originally meant 'to set free' or 'to release', later evolved to mean 'to hand over' or 'to perform'.
Usage Notes
The verb 'deliver' can be transitive (takes a direct object) or intransitive (no object needed). In business contexts, 'deliver' often implies meeting expectations or deadlines. Avoid using 'deliver' to mean 'say' in formal writing; prefer 'say' or 'state'.