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deliberate

adj. · v.
US //dɪˈɫɪbɝˌeɪt// de·lib·er·ate
  1. 1 intentional (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    done on purpose and not by accident.

    done consciously and intentionally; resulting from a purposeful decision.

    Example

    It wasn't a mistake; it was a deliberate attempt to make me look bad.

    Example

    The company made a deliberate choice to ignore the safety warnings in order to meet the production deadline.
  2. 2 slow and careful (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    slow, calm, and careful in the way you move or speak.

    characterised by a slow, unhurried, and careful pace, often to avoid error or to show confidence.

    Example

    He spoke in a slow, deliberate voice so that everyone could understand him.

    Example

    The surgeon moved with deliberate precision, aware that even a millimetre of error could result in permanent nerve damage.
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  1. 3 to think carefully (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to think about something very carefully, usually before making an important decision.

    to engage in long and careful consideration; often used in legal or formal contexts regarding a group decision.

    Example

    The jury will now deliberate to decide if the man is guilty or innocent.

    Example

    The board of directors spent several hours deliberating the merits of the merger before finally calling for a vote.

    Usage

    Often used as an intransitive verb when describing a jury or committee.
Origin

Inherited from Middle English deliberat(e), borrowed from Latin dēlīberātus, perfect passive participle of dēlīberō (“to consider, weigh well”) (see -ate (adjective-forming suffix) and -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from dē- + līberō / lībrō (“to weigh”)), from libera / libra (“a balance”); see librate. Doublet of deliber.

Word family

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