What does "postal" mean?

1. (related to mail) relating to the system of sending and delivering letters and packages. 2. (extremely angry) becoming suddenly and violently angry, especially at work.

How do you use "postal"?

Usually placed before a noun. Almost exclusively used with the verb 'go'.

postal

adj.

US //ˈpoʊstəɫ// UK //pˈəʊstəl// postal

1 related to mail (adj.)
B1 Intermediate

relating to the system of sending and delivering letters and packages.

relating to the collection, sorting, and delivery of mail by a national or commercial service.

Example

The postal service is usually slower during the busy holiday season.

Example

The government introduced new postal regulations to standardise the dimensions of international parcels and reduce sorting errors.

Usage

Usually placed before a noun.
- mail
- delivery
2 extremely angry (adj.)
C1 Advanced American English Slang Informal

becoming suddenly and violently angry, especially at work.

becoming uncontrollably or violently angry; often used in the phrase 'go postal'.

Example

He almost went postal when he found out his car had been towed.

Example

The manager was worried that the constant overtime and lack of support would cause one of the stressed employees to go postal.

Usage

Almost exclusively used with the verb 'go'.

Teacher's tip

This term originated from high-profile incidents of workplace violence at US post offices in the 1980s; it is very informal and can be sensitive.
- calm
- peaceful

Origin

From post + -al, modelled on French postal.