# letter

/ˈɫɛtɝ/ (US) · /lˈɛtɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/letter
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. alphabet symbol

noun · CEFR A1

a sign or symbol used in writing that represents a sound.

For teachers: a character or symbol representing one or more of the sounds used in speech; any of the symbols of an alphabet.

- The word 'apple' begins with the letter A.
- The child carefully traced each letter of the alphabet, focusing on the distinction between uppercase and lowercase forms.

### 2. written message

noun · CEFR A1

a written or printed message that you send to someone in an envelope.

For teachers: a written, typed, or printed communication, typically sent by post or messenger.

- I wrote a long letter to my grandmother to tell her about my new job.
- She received a formal letter from the university confirming that her application had been successful and outlining the next steps for enrollment.

### 3. literal meaning

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the exact words of a law or rule, rather than the general idea.

For teachers: the precise wording of a document or law, often contrasted with its 'spirit' or intended purpose.

- The judge followed the letter of the law even though it seemed unfair.
- While the company technically followed the letter of the agreement, their aggressive tactics clearly violated the spirit of the partnership.

### 4. paper size

noun · CEFR B2 · American English

a standard size of paper used in North America.

For teachers: a standard paper size measuring 8.5 by 11 inches, primarily used in the United States and Canada.

- Please print the report on letter size paper, not A4.
- The document was formatted for letter size, causing the margins to appear distorted when printed on the standard European A4 sheets.

### 5. to add text

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

to draw or paint letters onto a surface.

For teachers: to inscribe, engrave, or paint alphabetic characters onto a surface.

- The artist spent hours lettering the sign by hand.
- The stonecutter was commissioned to letter the monument, requiring a steady hand and precise knowledge of classical typography.

## Examples

- I wrote a long letter to my grandmother yesterday.
- The company sent a formal letter to all employees explaining the new health and safety policies.
- While the spirit of the agreement was cooperative, the legal team insisted on following the letter of the contract to avoid any potential liability during the audit.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.