The correct spelling is "delete" — one word, with an 'e' at the end

Delete is spelled d-e-l-e-t-e. It means to remove something permanently, usually a file, message, or text. The word comes from Latin and has been spelled this way in English for over a century. There is no alternate spelling in standard English, though you may see misspellings online.

The confusion usually comes from the sound of the word. When you say it aloud, the ending can blur together, making people unsure whether it ends in "-ate" or "-ete". It always ends in "-ete". The stress falls on the second syllable — "duh-LEE-t" — and both the second and final vowels are the letter 'e'.

Key Takeaways

  • Delete is spelled d-e-l-e-t-e, with five letters total and an 'e' at the end, not an 'a'.
  • Common misspellings include "delet" (missing the final 'e'), "delite" (swapping vowels), and "deleat" (adding an 'a').
  • The word works as a verb ("delete the file") and as a noun ("press the delete key"), but the spelling never changes.
  • Related words like "deletion" and "deleted" follow the same root spelling and are formed by adding standard suffixes.
  • Getting the spelling right matters when typing passwords, searching for help, or filling out forms that require exact character matches.

Common misspellings and why they happen

The most frequent mistake is spelling it "delet" — dropping the final 'e'. This happens because many English words that end in a soft 't' sound do not need the extra 'e' at the end. Words like "secret" and "market" end in 't' without an 'e', so people assume delete follows the same pattern. It does not.

Another common error is "delite", which swaps the vowels. This may come from the word "lite" (a casual spelling of "light"), which makes people think the ending should sound the same way. The correct ending is "-ete", not "-ite". Your brain recognizes the sound and tries to match it to a familiar spelling pattern, but delete does not follow that pattern.

Some people write "deleat" or "deleate", adding an 'a' in the middle. This usually happens when someone is typing quickly or autocorrect has learned a wrong version from repeated mistakes. Once a device learns an incorrect spelling, it will suggest that wrong version the next time you start typing the word, which reinforces the error.

How delete works as a verb and a noun

As a verb, delete describes the action of removing something: "I need to delete this email." "She deleted the wrong file." "You can delete your account anytime." The spelling stays d-e-l-e-t-e regardless of the tense or whether you are giving a command or describing something that already happened.

As a noun, delete refers to the key on your keyboard or the command itself: "Press the delete key." "The delete button is in the top right." "I hit delete by accident." Even when you are naming the key or the action as a thing rather than describing what you are doing, the spelling does not change.

Related words that come from delete

When you add suffixes to delete, the root spelling stays the same. "Deleted" (past tense) is d-e-l-e-t-e-d. "Deleting" (present tense, ongoing) is d-e-l-e-t-i-n-g. "Deletion" (the noun form for the act of deleting) is d-e-l-e-t-i-o-n. "Undeleted" (restored) is u-n-d-e-l-e-t-e-d.

The only letters that change are the ones you add. The core word — delete — never changes its spelling, even when you build other words from it. This consistency makes it easier to remember once you lock in the base spelling.

Why this matters for passwords, usernames, and forms

If you are typing "delete" into a password field, a search box, or a form, the spelling must be exact. Passwords are case-sensitive and character-sensitive, meaning d-e-l-e-t-e is different from d-e-l-e-t or d-e-l-i-t-e. If you misspell it, the system will not recognize it as a match, and you will not be able to log in or complete the action you intended.

The same applies if you are searching for instructions on how to delete something. Typing the wrong spelling into a search engine may not return the results you need, because search engines look for exact matches or very close ones. Getting the spelling right makes your search faster and more likely to find what you are looking for.

In command-line interfaces or technical documentation, misspelling delete can cause an error message or prevent a command from running. Precision matters in these contexts more than in casual writing.

How to remember the correct spelling

One way to remember is to think of the word "complete" — both words end in "-ete". Another is to sound it out slowly and deliberately: "duh-LEE-t" (not "duh-LEET" or "duh-LATE"). The stress falls on the second syllable, and both vowels in that syllable and the final syllable are 'e'.

If you type frequently, your muscle memory will lock in the correct spelling after a few weeks of use. Most word processors and phones also have autocorrect, which will flag "delet" or "delite" and suggest the correct spelling. You can accept the suggestion or add the correct spelling to your device's dictionary so it learns your preference.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a British spelling of delete that is different from American?

No. Delete is spelled the same way in British English, American English, and all other English-speaking countries. There is no regional variation in this word.

What if autocorrect keeps changing my spelling to something wrong?

You can usually turn off autocorrect for a specific word or add the correct spelling to your device's dictionary. On most phones and computers, long-press or right-click on the word and select "Add to dictionary" or "Learn spelling". This tells the device that d-e-l-e-t-e is the version you want to use.

Does the delete key on a keyboard spell it differently?

No. Whether the key is labeled "Delete", "Del", or "DEL", the full word is always spelled d-e-l-e-t-e. The abbreviation "Del" is just shorthand for the same word.

Can I use "remove" instead of "delete" if I am unsure of the spelling?

Yes, in most contexts "remove" works as a synonym for delete. However, if you are typing a command, searching for help, or entering something into a form that specifically asks for "delete", you need the correct spelling to get the result you want.