Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

dele

verb
de·​le | \ ˈdē-(ˌ)lē How to pronounce dele (audio) \
deled; deleing

Definition of dele

 (Entry 1 of 2)

transitive verb

: to delete especially from typeset matter

dele

noun

Definition of dele (Entry 2 of 2)

: a mark indicating that something is to be deled
Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about dele

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of dele in a Sentence

Verb

 the proofreader was instructed to dele stray characters and other typos

First Known Use of dele

Verb

1705, in the meaning defined above

Noun

circa 1751, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for dele

Verb

Latin, imperative singular of delēre

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about dele

Statistics for dele

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for dele

The first known use of dele was in 1705

See more words from the same year

More from Merriam-Webster on dele

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with dele

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for dele

Comments on dele

What made you want to look up dele? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

flounce

Listen to the pronounciation of flounce

to move with exaggerated bouncy motions

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Finance Words Quiz

  • a-piggy-bank
  • The etymology of mortgage is related most closely to which two words?
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games