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Definition of letter

letter

/ˈlɛt.ər/
let · ter

Plural:letters
•
Past Simple:lettered
•
Past Participle:lettered
•
Present Participle:lettering
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letter Lexical Profile

letter Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A written, typed, or printed communication sent to a person or organization, usually in an envelope.

Example

"She received a heartfelt letter from her grandfather in the mail."


2

A symbol representing a sound used in speech; a character belonging to an alphabet.

Example

"The English alphabet contains twenty-six letters."


3

The strict or exact meaning of a law or agreement, as opposed to its spirit or intent.

Example

"The lawyer argued that his client had followed the letter of the law, even if the result seemed unfair."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for letter

• verb

1

To write, print, or paint letters onto a surface.

Example

"The skilled artisan will letter the storefront window by hand using gold leaf."


2

American To earn an award for excellence in school activities, particularly in high school or collegiate sports.

Example

"He worked hard all season because he hoped to letter in varsity football."

• Rhymes for letter

Word Origin & Etymology

From Old French 'letre', derived from the Latin 'littera' meaning 'letter of the alphabet', which in its plural form 'litterae' came to mean a written document, epistle, or literature.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020

Cite this Entry


Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Letter. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 16, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/letter
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