Cool MateDelivery vs Shipping
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Delivery
Top 1,000 (very common)B2noun
Shipping
Top 2,000 (common)C1noun
Most common: Delivery
| Delivery | Shipping | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/dɪˈlɪvəri/"]/🇺🇸 /["/dɪˈlɪvəri/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈʃɪpɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈʃɪpɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | The process of bringing something to a person or place. | The process of sending goods from one place to another. |
| Example | The delivery of the package was delayed due to bad weather. | The canal is open to shipping. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | C1 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | large, small, express, do, make, accept, truck, van, date, for delivery, on delivery, delivery to, difficult, easy, premature, have, room | shipping costs, shipping address, shipping service, shipping company, shipping time |
| Antonyms | pickup, collection | receiving, importing |
| Common mistakes | Confusing 'delivery' with 'availability'., Using 'delivery' as a verb instead of a noun., Saying 'the deliver' instead of 'the delivery'. | Confusing 'shipping' with 'shipment' — the former is the process, the latter refers to the goods being sent., Using 'ship' as a noun instead of 'shipping' when discussing the process. |
| Usage notes | Commonly used in contexts involving packages or food. May not be appropriate for formal writing about a topic unrelated to shipping or services. | Used in business and logistics contexts. Avoid when talking about personal letters or informal messages. |
Frequently asked questions: Delivery vs Shipping
What's the difference between Delivery and Shipping?
Delivery: The process of bringing something to a person or place. Shipping: The process of sending goods from one place to another.
Which is more common: Delivery and Shipping?
Delivery is the most common in everyday English.
Are Delivery and Shipping the same CEFR level?
Delivery: B2, Shipping: C1 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Delivery and Shipping interchangeably?
Not always. Delivery and Shipping 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.