Cool MateDeliver vs Supply
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Deliver
Top 1,000 (very common)B1verb
Supply
Top 1,000 (very common)B1noun
| Deliver | Supply | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/dɪˈlɪvə(r)/","/dɪˈlɪvəz/","/dɪˈlɪvəd/","/dɪˈlɪvərɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪˈlɪvər/","/dɪˈlɪvərz/","/dɪˈlɪvərd/","/dɪˈlɪvərɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/səˈplaɪ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/səˈplaɪ/"]/ |
| Meaning | to bring something to someone | to give or provide something that is needed |
| Example | The courier will deliver the package by noon. | The company is struggling to meet the demand for their product due to a shortage in supply. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | B1 |
| Part of speech | verb | noun |
| Collocations | free of charge, by hand, personally, to, by, via, have something delivered, consistently, effectively, efficiently, on, safely, by Caesarean, by Caesarean section, safely, by Caesarean, by Caesarean section | total, available, endless, have, get, lay in, increase, fall, exceed demand, chain, line, network, supply of, supply to, be in short supply, demand and supply, supply and demand, abundant, plentiful, limited, bring, bring in, lay in, hold out, last, be depleted, supply of |
| Antonyms | receive, withhold, retain | demand, deprivation |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'devour' — both start with 'd,' but have different meanings., Using 'delivered' intransitively — 'deliver' needs an object., Saying 'delivering to' without specifying the recipient. | Confusing with 'supplement' when more than just providing is meant, Using as a noun instead of a verb, e.g., 'to supply' vs 'the supply', Incorrectly conjugating the verb in different tenses |
| Usage notes | Used when giving items, messages, or services. Appropriate in most contexts, but avoid in very casual speech. In formal writing, specify what is being delivered. | Use 'supply' when referring to providing goods or resources. It is neutral and can be used in business, education, and everyday contexts. Avoid using it in very casual conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Deliver vs Supply
What's the difference between Deliver and Supply?
Deliver: to bring something to someone Supply: to give or provide something that is needed
Are Deliver and Supply the same CEFR level?
Deliver: B1, Supply: B1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Deliver and Supply?
Deliver: verb, Supply: noun.
Can you show an example of each?
Deliver: The courier will deliver the package by noon. Supply: The company is struggling to meet the demand for their product due to a shortage in supply.
Can I use Deliver and Supply interchangeably?
Not always. Deliver and Supply are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.