How to pronounce deli
Say it like DEL-ee. Deli has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DEL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce deli. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- DEL
- ee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Deli pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- DELSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of deli
American and British speakers say deli in essentially the same way: /ˈdɛli/ in the US and /ˈdɛli/ in the UK.
British respelling: DEL-ee.
What does deli mean?
- A shop that sells cooked or prepared food ready for serving.“Delis usually offer a broader, fresher menu than fast food chains.”
- Food sold at a delicatessen.
Where does deli come from?
Attested since 1954. Clipping of delicatessen, from German Delikatessen, plural of Delikatesse (“delicacy, fine food”), from French délicatesse, derived from the adjective délicat, from Latin delicatus.
Words that rhyme with deli
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of deli.
Questions about saying deli
How do you pronounce deli?
Say DEL-ee. The American pronunciation is /ˈdɛli/. In British English it is /ˈdɛli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in deli?
Deli has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (DEL). Broken into parts: DEL · ee.
Do Americans and Brits say deli the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈdɛli/ and the British form is /ˈdɛli/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.