French Conversation · Level 77
60 words
French word
délivrer
Pronunciation
IPA/delivʁe/
Meaning
- verbrelease
Example
Ils ont délivré les prisonniers hier.
They released the prisoners yesterday.
More examples
Les pompiers ont délivré la femme coincée dans l'ascenseur.
The firefighters rescued the woman trapped in the elevator.
Core concept
Something held back by force or authority is released, whether it is a prisoner or an officially prepared document.
Common phrases
délivrer quelqu'un d'un danger
rescue someone from danger
Similar words
libérer: To free a person or object from restraint or detention.
sauver: To rescue a person or object from danger and bring it to safety.
secourir: To come to the aid of someone in difficulty.
livrer: To hand a package or document to its recipient.
Definition in French
Rendre libre une personne ou une chose d'une contrainte ou d'une détention; en contexte administratif, remettre ou émettre officiellement un document.
Word origin
Délivrer is an inherited French form from Old French delivrer and Late Latin deliberare, with liberare, 'to free', at its core; official release accounts for the document sense.
Usage tips
- In administrative French, délivrer is natural with permits, certificates, and prescriptions, while émettre emphasizes producing or issuing the document.