delete

noun

(computing) A deletion.

(computing) The delete character (U+007F or %7F).

(recorded entertainment industry) A remainder of a music or video release.

(computing) A key that may be pressed to delete something (such as text or files) from a computer. The key also erases text from left to right, unlike the backspace key.

(uncountable) Alternative letter-case form of Delete. [(computing) A key that may be pressed to delete something (such as text or files) from a computer. The key also erases text from left to right, unlike the backspace key.]

verb

(transitive) To remove, get rid of or erase, especially written or printed material, or data on a computer or other device.

(online gaming, slang) To defeat or dominate.

(transitive, slang) To kill or murder.

Roots

deleolet- · Latin · blot out, destroy

Synonyms for delete

erasev editv cancelv removev expungev obliteratev effacev eliminatev expurgatev bowdlerizev

Synonyms & related words for delete

Find synonyms, related words, and the definition of delete — including erase, edit, cancel, remove, expunge, obliterate. Dendril is a free visual thesaurus that shows them on an interactive map where stronger matches sit closer to the center — no signup, no ads.

Words related to delete

Explore words related to delete — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include deletion, overwrite, inerasable, erasion, expunger, expunction, effacer, overwritten. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for delete

Common synonyms for delete include erase, edit, cancel, remove, expunge, obliterate, efface, eliminate — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does delete come from?

The word delete breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root let-, from Latin deleo (“blot out, destroy”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.