Letter: meaning, definitions and examples

✉️
Add to dictionary

letter

 

[ ˈlɛtər ]

Context #1 | Noun

communication

A written, typed, or printed communication, especially one sent in an envelope by mail or messenger.

Synonyms

epistle, missive, note.

Examples of usage

  • She received a letter from her pen pal in France.
  • He wrote a heartfelt letter to his grandmother.
Context #2 | Noun

alphabet

A character representing one or more of the sounds used in speech; any of the symbols of an alphabet.

Synonyms

character, grapheme, symbol.

Examples of usage

  • The English alphabet has 26 letters.
  • He struggled to remember the letter 'Q' during the spelling bee.
Context #3 | Noun

literature

A literary composition in the form of a letter.

Synonyms

correspondence, epistle, missive.

Examples of usage

  • The novel was structured as a series of letters between the two main characters.
  • She enjoyed reading the letters of famous authors to gain insight into their lives.

Translations

Translations of the word "letter" in other languages:

🇵🇹 letra

🇮🇳 पत्र

🇩🇪 Buchstabe

🇮🇩 huruf

🇺🇦 літера

🇵🇱 litera

🇯🇵 文字 (もじ)

🇫🇷 lettre

🇪🇸 letra

🇹🇷 harf

🇰🇷 문자

🇸🇦 حرف

🇨🇿 písmeno

🇸🇰 písmeno

🇨🇳 字母 (zìmǔ)

🇸🇮 črka

🇮🇸 bókstafur

🇰🇿 әріп

🇬🇪 ასო

🇦🇿 hərf

🇲🇽 letra

Etymology

The word 'letter' originated from Old French 'lettre', which in turn came from Latin 'littera', meaning 'letter of the alphabet' or 'epistle'. The use of 'letter' to refer to a written communication dates back to the 13th century. Throughout history, letters have been essential for communication, both personal and official, before the advent of modern technology.

See also: inlet, let, letting, sublet.

Word Frequency Rank

At #518 in the frequency ranking, this word is highly important for effective communication. It's commonly used in daily situations and should be prioritized in your vocabulary building.