Letter — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun verb /ˈle-tər/ let·ter

Meaning & Definition of Letter

Letter (noun)

  1. a symbol usually written or printed representing a speech sound and constituting a unit of an alphabet
  2. a direct or personal written or printed message addressed to a person or organization
  3. a written communication containing a grant —usually used in plural
  4. one that rents or leases

Letter (verb)

  1. to set down in letters, print
  2. to mark with letters
  3. to win an athletic letter

Letter (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a message on paper from one person or group to another

    "he faithfully wrote her a letter every week they were apart"

    similar: dispatch, epistle, memo, memorandum, missive, note
    related: billet-doux, open letter, airmail, card, electronic mail, e-mail, junk mail, mail, postal card, postcard, communication, report, encyclical

  2. the owner of land or housing that is rented to another

    "it is the letter of the apartment—not the lessee—who is responsible for basic repair and upkeep"

    similar: landlord, lessor, renter
    related: landlady, laird, landholder, landowner, proprietor, slumlord
    opposite: lessee, lodger, roomer, tenant

Letter (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in write, print

    similar: ink, inscribe, pen, pencil, print, write, jot (down), doodle, scratch, scrawl, scribble, squiggle

Related Entry: Letter carrier (noun)

Letter carrier is a different word from Letter. The synonyms below are for letter carrier, not for letter.

  1. a person who delivers mail

    "we like to leave a little gift in the mailbox around Christmas for our letter carrier"

    similar: mail carrier, mailman, postie (British), postman
    related: courier, messenger, postmaster, postmistress

Related Entry: Letter-perfect (adjective)

Letter-perfect is a different word from Letter. The synonyms below are for letter-perfect, not for letter.

  1. being entirely without fault or flaw

    "the actress's recitation was letter-perfect"

    similar: absolute, faultless, flawless, ideal, immaculate, impeccable, indefectible, irreproachable, perfect, picture-book, picture-perfect, seamless, unblemished
    related: consummate, expert, masterly, classic, dandy, excellent, fabulous, fine, first-class, first-rate, grand, great, marvelous, prime, superb, superior, superlative, terrific, top, top-notch, unsurpassed, completed, finished, perfected, polished, complete, entire, intact, whole, mint, unbruised, undamaged, unimpaired, uninjured, unmarred, unspoiled, exceptional, fancy, high-grade, special, airtight, bulletproof, accurate, correct, exact, precise, inerrant, infallible, unerring, unfailing
    opposite: amiss, bad, censurable, defective, faulty, flawed, imperfect, reproachable
    near: deficient, inadequate, incomplete, insufficient, wanting, unfinished, unpolished, fallible, blemished, blighted, broken, damaged, defaced, disfigured, impaired, injured, malformed, marred, misshapen, spoiled, vitiated, atrocious, execrable, wretched, imprecise, inaccurate, incorrect, inexact, wrong

Related Entry: Letter carriers (noun)

Letter carriers is a different word from Letter. The synonyms below are for letter carriers, not for letter.

  1. a person who delivers mail

    "we like to leave a little gift in the mailbox around Christmas for our letter carrier"

    similar: mail carriers, mailmen, posties (British), postmen
    related: couriers, messengers, postmasters, postmistresses

Related Entry: Four-letter word (noun)

Four-letter word is a different word from Letter. The synonyms below are for four-letter word, not for letter.

  1. a disrespectful or indecent word or expression

    "clapped her hands over the toddler's ears so he wouldn't hear the four-letter word"

    similar: curse, cuss, cussword, dirty word, expletive, obscenity, profanity, swear, swearword, vulgarism
    related: bawdry, language, scurrility, execration, imprecation, malediction, epithet, name, oath

Related Entry: Open letter (noun)

Open letter is a different word from Letter. The synonyms below are for open letter, not for letter.

  1. as in billet-doux

    similar: billet-doux, dispatch, epistle, letter, memo, memorandum, missive, note, airmail, card, electronic mail, e-mail, junk mail, mail, postal card, postcard, communication, report, encyclical

Related Entry: Four-letter words (noun)

Four-letter words is a different word from Letter. The synonyms below are for four-letter words, not for letter.

  1. a disrespectful or indecent word or expression

    "clapped her hands over the toddler's ears so he wouldn't hear the four-letter word"

    similar: curses, cusses, cusswords, dirty words, expletives, obscenities, profanities, swears, swearwords, vulgarisms
    related: bawdries, languages, scurrilities, execrations, imprecations, maledictions, epithets, names, oaths

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Letter

The most common words with a similar meaning to Letter:

dispatch, epistle, memo, memorandum, missive, note, landlord, lessor, renter, ink, inscribe, pen, pencil, print, write, jot (down), doodle, scratch, scrawl, scribble, squiggle

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Letter

Words with the opposite meaning of Letter:

lessee, lodger, roomer, tenant

Related Words for Letter

billet-doux, open letter, airmail, card, electronic mail, e-mail, junk mail, mail, postal card, postcard, communication, report, encyclical, landlady, laird, landholder, landowner, proprietor, slumlord

Word Forms of Letter

Inflections: lettered, lettering, letters

Derived words: letterer (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Letter

Middle English, from Anglo-French lettre, from Latin littera letter of the alphabet, litterae, plural, epistle, literature

First known use: 13th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Letter

Words & Phrases Containing Letter

letter bomb, letter box, letter carrier, letter of credence, letter of credit, letter of intent, letter-perfect

Frequently Asked Questions about Letter

What does "Letter" mean?

"Letter" means a symbol usually written or printed representing a speech sound and constituting a unit of an alphabet. As an a noun and a verb, it is defined as: a symbol usually written or printed representing a speech sound and constituting a unit of an alphabet. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Letter"?

Other words for "Letter" include dispatch, epistle, memo, memorandum, missive, note, landlord and lessor. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Letter" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Letter"?

There are 40 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Letter". Common alternatives include dispatch, epistle, memo, memorandum, missive, note, landlord, lessor, renter and ink.

What is the opposite of "Letter"?

Antonyms of "Letter" include lessee, lodger, roomer and tenant.

How do you use "Letter" in a sentence?

Examples of "Letter" in a sentence: "he faithfully wrote her a letter every week they were apart"; "it is the letter of the apartment—not the lessee—who is responsible for basic repair and upkeep".

Is "Letter" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Letter" can be used as a noun and a verb, depending on the context.

Is "Letter" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "Letter" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "Letter"?

"Letter" is pronounced /ˈle-tər/ and divided into syllables as let·ter.