What does "epistle" mean?
A literary composition in the form of a letter or series of letters, especially one in verse.
Epistle
/ɪˈpɪsl̩/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Moderate ·College level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A literary composition in the form of a letter or series of letters, especially one in verse.
- Grammar: epistle is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: acknowledgment, agnus dei, alleluia, answer.
- Useful contrasts: silence.
- Usage evidence: Calvin put the eighth chapter of the Epistle to the Romans as the basis of his theory of predestination.
How to use "epistle"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "epistle" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "epistle" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "epistle" as the right word for your sentence.
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Compare nearby meanings
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- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "epistle" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "acknowledgment" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
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Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "epistle", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A literary composition in the form of a letter or series of letters, especially one in verse.
"[Y]our Grace ſhal herein perceiue a nevv faſhion of diſcourſe, by Epistles; nevv to our language, uſual to others: and (as Noueltie is neuer vvithout ſome plea of vſe) more free, more familiar."
- 2 Alternative letter-case form of epistle:; One of the books of the New Testament which was originally a letter issued by an apostle to an individual or a community.
- 3 a book of the New Testament written in the form of a letter from an Apostle wordnet
- 4 A letter, especially one which is formal or issued publicly. humorous, literary
"After that John Frauncis [i.e., Giovanni Francesco Pico della Mirandola], the neuiew of Picꝰ [Picus], had (as it appeareth in the firſt epiſtle of Picus to him) begon a chaunge in his liuyng: […]"
- 5 Alternative letter-case form of epistle:; An extract from a New Testament epistle (sense 1.1) or book other than a gospel which is read during a church service, chiefly the Eucharist.
Show 4 more definitions
- 6 a specially long, formal letter wordnet
- 7 A letter, especially one which is formal or issued publicly.; Chiefly with a qualifying word, as in epistle dedicatory: a letter of dedication addressed to a patron or reader published as a preface to a literary work. historical, humorous, literary, specifically
"[I]n the Epiſtle Dedicatorie thereof to a great man of this land, whom he calls his verie right honourable good Lord, he recounteth his large bounties beſtowed upon him, and talkes of the ſecret favours which hee did him in his ſtudie or cloſet at court."
- 8 One of the books of the New Testament which was originally a letter issued by an apostle to an individual or a community.
"The Evangiles and Acts, teach us vvhat to beleeve, but the Epiſtles of the Apoſtles vvhat to do."
- 9 An extract from a New Testament epistle (noun sense 3.1) or book other than a gospel which is read during a church service, chiefly the Eucharist.
"The Collectes ended, the prieſt, or he that is appointed, ſhall reade the Epiſtle, in a place aſſigned for the purpoſe, ſaying. The Epiſtle of ſainct Paule written in the [blank] Chapiter of [blank] to the."
Verb
- 1 To write (something) in, or in the form of, a letter. humorous, literary, transitive
"His braynes, his time, all hys maintenance and exhibition upon it he hath conſumed, and never intermitted, till ſuch time as he beganne to epiſtle it againſt mee, ſince which I have kept him a work indifferently."
- 2 To write a letter to (someone). archaic, humorous, literary, transitive
- 3 To write (something) as an introduction or preface to a literary work; also, to provide (a literary work) with an introduction or preface. rare, transitive
"And though antient Tragedy uſe no Prologue, yet uſing ſometimes, in caſe of ſelf defence, or explanation, that vvhich Martial calls an Epiſtle; in behalf of this Tragedy coming forth after the antient manner, much different from vvhat among us paſſes for beſt, thus much before-hand may be Epiſtl'd; that Chorus is here introduc'd after the Greek manner, not antient only but modern, and ſtill in uſe among the Italians."
- 4 To write a letter. humorous, intransitive, literary
"Devinitie (the heaven of all artes) for a while drew his thoughts unto it; but ſhortly after the world, the fleſh, and the divell with-drewe him from that, and needes he would be of a more gentleman-like luſtie cut: whereupon hee fell to morrall epiſtling and poetrie."
- 5 To communicate with someone through a letter. humorous, intransitive, literary
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"Calvin put the eighth chapter of the Epistle to the Romans as the basis of his theory of predestination."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "epistle"?
Common synonyms include: acknowledgment, agnus dei, alleluia, answer, billet, canon.
How do you use "epistle" in a sentence?
Calvin put the eighth chapter of the Epistle to the Romans as the basis of his theory of predestination.
How do you pronounce "epistle"?
Pronounced /ɪˈpɪsl̩/.
Etymology
PIE word *h₁epi The noun is derived from Middle English epistel, epistole, pistel (“letter; literary work in letter form; written legend or story; spoken communication; (Christianity) one of the letters by an apostle in the New Testament; extract from such a letter read as part of the Mass”) [and other forms], and then partly: * from Old English epistol, epistola, pistol (“letter, epistle”), from Latin epistola (“letter, epistle; literary work in letter form”) (whence Late Latin epistola (“one of the letters by an apostle in the New Testament”)), from Ancient Greek ἐπῐστολή (epĭstolḗ, “letter; message”), from ἐπῐστέλλω (epĭstéllō, “to inform by, or to send, a letter or message”) (from ἐπῐ- (epĭ-, prefix meaning ‘on, upon’) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *h₁epi (“at; near; on”)) + στέλλω (stéllō, “to dispatch, send”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *stel- (“to locate; to place, put”))) + -η (-ē, suffix forming action nouns); and * from Anglo-Norman epistle, and Middle French epistle, epistele, epistole (“letter; (Christianity) one of the letters by an apostle in the New Testament; extract from such a letter read as part of the Mass”) (modern French épître), from Latin epistola (see above). The verb is derived from the noun.