Letter
'lɛtər
Definitions
3 meaningsA written communication sent by post, usually enclosed in an envelope.
'lɛtər
A written or printed message addressed to a person or organization.
She wrote a long letter to her family.
💡 Simply: It's like a message you write on paper (or type on a computer) and then send to someone. Think of it as a personal email, but slower!
👶 For kids: A letter is a note that you write to someone and send in the mail!
More Examples
The letter arrived in the post this morning.
He sent a letter of complaint to the company.
How It's Used
"I received a letter from my friend."
"The company sent out a letter to its shareholders."
A symbol representing a sound in a writing system.
'lɛtər
A single symbol in an alphabet.
There are 26 letters in the English alphabet.
💡 Simply: It's one of the parts you use to make words, like A, B, or C. It's like a Lego brick for your words!
👶 For kids: A letter is a symbol that makes a sound, like A, B, C!
More Examples
Can you recognize this letter?
The word starts with the letter 's'.
How It's Used
"The first letter of the word 'apple' is 'a'."
"She is learning to recognize the letters of the alphabet."
To mark or write (something) with letters.
'lɛtər
To inscribe or print letters on something.
The artisan lettered the invitation beautifully.
💡 Simply: To write or put letters on something, like writing your name on a birthday card or putting the name of a store on a sign.
👶 For kids: When you 'letter' something, it means you write letters on it!
More Examples
He lettered his name onto the wooden plaque.
They lettered the team's name on their jerseys.
How It's Used
"The artist lettered the sign with elegant calligraphy."
"The company lettered its logo on the building's facade."
Idioms & expressions
to the letter
Exactly as written or instructed; precisely.
"He followed the instructions to the letter."
letter of the law
The strict, literal interpretation of the law, often contrasted with its spirit or intent.
"They followed the letter of the law, but it wasn't fair."
From Old French *lettre*, from Latin *littera* (letter of the alphabet, epistle).
The word 'letter' has been used in English for centuries, initially referring to the alphabet and later to written communications. In the past, letters were often the primary means of long-distance communication.
Memory tip
Imagine a pen writing on paper - that's how we write letters!