letter

Word family

• lettered
  adjectiveC1
• lettering
  nounB2
• letterbox
  nounB1
• letterhead
  nounB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

These words all refer to ways of communicating in writing, but they differ in format, formality, and length. A 'letter' is a formal or personal written message sent by post, typically several paragraphs long and folded in an envelope. A 'note' is shorter and more casual — you might scribble a note to a roommate on a sticky pad, but you would not send a note to a bank. A 'message' is the broadest term and covers everything from a quick text to a detailed email; it does not imply a specific format or delivery method. A 'memo' (short for memorandum) is an internal written communication within an organisation, usually brief and formatted with headings like TO, FROM, and DATE — you would not write a memo to a friend. 'Correspondence' is uncountable and refers to letters exchanged over time between two or more people, emphasising the ongoing relationship rather than a single document. Example: 'I wrote a letter to the mayor and received a formal reply.' 'I left a note on the fridge saying dinner was in the microwave.'

Common collocations

Etymology

The word 'letter' entered English from Old French 'letre', which came from Latin 'littera' meaning 'a letter of the alphabet' or 'a written document'. The Latin plural 'litterae' also meant 'literature' or 'an epistle' — a collection of letters. The two main modern senses (alphabet character and written message) both come from this single Latin root, though by the 13th century English already used 'letter' for both an alphabetic symbol and a written communication.