Deliberate

Deliberate is a word with several closely related senses in English. As an adjective, it means intentional or done with purpose, as in a deliberate decision or a deliberate act. It can also describe something slow, careful, and unhurried, reflecting extended consideration. As a verb, to deliberate means to think about or discuss something carefully, often in order to reach a decision. In legal and parliamentary language, deliberations are the formal discussions by a council, committee, or jury before reaching a verdict or recommendation. The noun deliberation denotes the act or process of careful consideration itself.

The word comes from Latin deliberare, “to weigh, consider,” from de- plus libra, meaning scales or balance. The sense of weighing options underpins both the careful and the intentional usages.

Usage notes emphasize the distinction between the adjective senses and the adverbial form deliberately. Deliberate as an adjective can describe either purposeful action or a careful, unhurried manner, while deliberately serves as the adverb meaning done with intention or with careful consideration. The term contrasts with spontaneous, accidental, or impulsive actions. Synonyms for the adjective include intentional, planned, purposeful, and calculated, while the verb sense aligns with think, ponder, and consider.