Correspond

/ˌkɒrɪˈspɒnd/

verbIntermediate📊CommonComparison
3 meanings2 idioms/phrases4 questions

Definitions

3 meanings
1

To be similar; to be in agreement or conformity.

/ˌkɒrɪˈspɒnd/

verbneutralIntermediate
Comparison

To have a close similarity; match or agree almost exactly.

The two maps correspond perfectly.

💡 Simply: Imagine you and your friend both like the same movie. Your opinions *correspond* – they match up! If your interests and ideas about a topic are similar, you can say they correspond.

👶 For kids: When two things are the same or match, like if your drawing looks like a real cat, they correspond!

More Examples

2

Her account of the events corresponds with mine.

3

The colors of the painting correspond with those in nature.

How It's Used

Science

"The results of the experiment correspond with the initial hypothesis."

General

"His actions didn't correspond with his promises."

2

To exchange letters or other forms of communication.

/ˌkɒrɪˈspɒnd/

verbneutralBeginner
Communication

To communicate by exchanging letters.

They corresponded regularly by email.

💡 Simply: Think of writing letters to a friend. You're *corresponding* with them. This word is about keeping in touch by exchanging messages, even today we could email or text to correspond.

👶 For kids: When you write letters or send emails to someone, that's corresponding!

More Examples

2

She corresponded with her friend in France.

3

The author corresponded with readers through a blog.

How It's Used

General

"He corresponded with his pen pal for several years."

History

"The monarchs corresponded through official channels."

Tip:Think of it as a 'respond' - a back and forth exchange of communication.
3

To have a direct relationship or similarity.

/ˌkɒrɪˈspɒnd/

verbneutralIntermediate
Comparison

To be analogous or equivalent; be similar or comparable.

The increase in sales corresponds with our marketing campaign.

💡 Simply: Think of a puzzle: each piece *corresponds* to its spot. They fit together in a related way, meaning there's a link between the two

👶 For kids: When things are alike or belong together like puzzle pieces!

More Examples

2

The size of the house corresponds to the size of the family.

3

The student's grades correspond to the amount of effort she put in.

How It's Used

Art

"The colors in the painting correspond with the artist's emotions."

Music

"The melodies correspond with the emotions of the lyrics."

Tip:Think of a 1-to-1 matching: This 'corresponds' to that, or works with it.

Idioms & expressions

correspond to

To be similar to or in agreement with something.

"The findings correspond to our previous research."

correspond with

To exchange letters or messages with someone.

"She corresponded with him regularly."

From Latin *correspondere* ('to answer, agree'), from *com-* ('with, together') + *respondere* ('to answer').

Used extensively in 18th and 19th century literature and formal writing to describe communication and similarity.

Memory tip

Think of two things 'answering' to each other perfectly—they correspond.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"to answer"

correspond withcorrespond tocorrespond regularlycorrespond by email

Common misspellings

corrispondcorrespondecorespond

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written