Deleting

/dɪˈliːtɪŋ/

verbBeginner🔥Very CommonTechnology
1 meaning2 questions

Definitions

1

To remove or erase something, often text or data, from a document, file, or storage medium.

/dɪˈliːtɪŋ/

verbneutralBeginner
Technology

Removing or erasing something, especially text or data.

I am deleting old emails from my inbox.

💡 Simply: Imagine you're tidying up your room. Deleting is like throwing away something you don't need anymore, like old emails or a bad photo. It makes your 'space' cleaner!

👶 For kids: Taking something away, like when you erase a mistake with a pencil.

More Examples

2

She is deleting the unwanted scene from the movie.

3

Please delete the file after you have finished reviewing it.

How It's Used

Computing

"I am deleting files from my computer to free up space."

Writing

"She is deleting unnecessary sentences from her essay to improve clarity."

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

Antonyms

From Middle English *deleten*, from Latin *dēlēre* ('to erase, destroy'), from *dē-* ('away, off') + *lēre* (related to *linere* 'to smear, wipe').

The verb 'delete' has been used since the late 15th century, initially referring to erasing words or passages in writing.

Memory tip

Think of the 'delete' key on your keyboard – it's for removing things!

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"to erase, obliterate"

delete a filedelete an emaildelete the textdelete fromdelete permanently

Common misspellings

deletinggdelettingdeletng

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written