What does "letter" mean?
A symbol in an alphabet.
Letter
/ˈlɛtə/ noun, verb
noun, verb ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A symbol in an alphabet.
- Grammar: letter is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: missive, accurately, acknowledgment, address.
- Useful contrasts: decimal digit, more base ten digit, arabic digit.
- Usage evidence: I have to write a letter. Do you have some paper?
How to use "letter"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "letter" 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 "letter" 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 "letter" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "letter" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- 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 "letter" 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 "missive" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "letter", 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 symbol in an alphabet.
"There are twenty-six letters in the English alphabet."
- 2 One who lets, or lets out.
"the letter of a room"
- 3 Alternative form of litter. alt-of, alternative, obsolete
- 4 a written message addressed to a person or organization wordnet
- 5 A written or printed communication, generally longer and more formal than a note.
"I wrote a letter to my sister about my life."
Show 12 more definitions
- 6 One who retards or hinders. archaic
- 7 an award earned by participation in a school sport wordnet
- 8 The literal meaning of something, as distinguished from its intended and remoter meaning (the spirit).
"In obedience to humane laws, we muſt obſerve the letter of the Law, where we can without doing violence to the reaſon of the Law and the intention of the Law-giver: but where they croſſe each other, the charity of the Law is to be preferred before its diſcipline, and the reaſon of it before the letter."
- 9 the conventional characters of the alphabet used to represent speech wordnet
- 10 Literature. in-plural
"Benjamin Franklin was multiskilled – a scientist, politician and a man of letters."
- 11 a strictly literal interpretation (as distinct from the intention) wordnet
- 12 A division unit of a piece of law marked by a letter of the alphabet.
"Letter (b) constitutes an exception to this provision."
- 13 owner who lets another person use something (housing usually) for hire wordnet
- 14 A size of paper, 8½ in × 11 in (215.9 mm × 279.4 mm). US, uncountable
- 15 A size of paper, 215 mm × 280 mm. Canada, uncountable
- 16 Clipping of varsity letter. US, abbreviation, alt-of, clipping
- 17 A single type; type, collectively; a style of type. dated
"Under these, thro’ a garden in which is an ample fountaine, was the King's printing-house, and that famous letter so much esteem’d."
Verb
- 1 To print, inscribe, or paint letters on something. transitive
- 2 mark letters on or mark with letters wordnet
- 3 To earn a varsity letter (award). US, intransitive
"I think Mom lettered in shot put her junior year."
- 4 set down or print with letters wordnet
- 5 win an athletic letter wordnet
Antonyms
decimal digitmore base ten digitarabic digitarabic numeral
Example
"I have to write a letter. Do you have some paper?"
Common questions
What is a synonym for "letter"?
Common synonyms include: missive, accurately, acknowledgment, address, advice, airmail.
How do you use "letter" in a sentence?
I have to write a letter. Do you have some paper?
How do you pronounce "letter"?
Pronounced /ˈlɛtə/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
From Middle English letter, lettre, from Old French letre, from Latin littera (“letter of the alphabet"; in plural, "epistle”). Displaced Old English bōcstæf (literally “book staff”) in sense 1 and ǣrendġewrit (literally “message writing”) in sense 2.
Etymology 2
From Middle English letere, equivalent to let + -er.