letter
letter — adjective
- letterpositive
- letterercomparative
- letterestsuperlative
1. referring to a US and Canadian paper format that measures 8.5 by 11 inches (roug
referring to a US and Canadian paper format that measures 8.5 by 11 inches (roughly 216 by 279 millimetres) — narrower and taller than the A4 standard used internationally.
Could you please print the report on letter-size paper instead of on A4?
attributive: letter-size + paper (common compound)
The stationery shop sells both letter and legal-size sheets for office printers.
pairing: letter and legal-size (US paper size pair)
This binder is designed to hold letter-size documents without folding them.
The librarian asked whether we needed letter envelopes or larger ones for mailing.
- US letter
fuller name for this paper format, used when contrasting with other sizes
文法句型
letter-size + noun
letter paper
用法筆記
This sense is used only before a noun (attributive position). Outside North America, the metric A4 standard (210 × 297 mm) is far more common, so learners outside the US may rarely encounter this meaning.
常見錯誤
letter — noun
- lettersingular
- lettersplural
1. a physical message that people write or type on paper and send inside an envelop
a physical message that people write or type on paper and send inside an envelope through the postal service.
Lara sent a letter to the university admissions office requesting information about the engineering program.
collocation: send a letter to [someone]
Eitan folded the letter carefully, slipped it into an envelope, and sealed it with tape.
sequence: fold + slip + seal a letter
Putri found a box of old letters that her grandparents had exchanged in the 1990s.
The children drew colourful pictures and dictated a thank-you letter to their teacher.
Christopher read the letter twice before placing it on the kitchen table.
- note
shorter and less formal; often a quick handwritten message
- message
broader term covering emails, texts, and verbal communication as well as written notes
- correspondence
uncountable noun referring to letters exchanged between people over time
文法句型
letter + to + person
letter + about + topic
get/receive/write/send a letter
用法筆記
A letter is usually physical and sent by postal service. For electronic messages, use 'email'. The phrase 'get a letter from someone' means you received one; 'drop someone a letter' means you wrote them a short one.
常見錯誤
2. a single symbol from a set of symbols (such as A to Z in English) used to write
a single symbol from a set of symbols (such as A to Z in English) used to write words and represent the sounds of spoken language.
Mizuki carefully traced the letter 'B' in the sand with the tip of her finger.
trace the letter + [character]
The cafe sign used large red letters so everyone could see it from the street.
Sahil's name starts with the letter 'S', the nineteenth letter of the English alphabet.
The children sang the alphabet song and pointed at each letter on the classroom wall.
Élise had trouble with the English letter 'R' because it differs from the French sound.
文法句型
the letter + [A–Z]
capital/lowercase letter
letter of the alphabet
用法筆記
Distinguish 'letter' (a character in an alphabet) from 'character' (a broader term that includes Chinese characters, numerals, and symbols). In English, letters have two forms: capital (uppercase) and small (lowercase).
常見錯誤
3. the precise wording of a legal text or regulation, understood in its most litera
the precise wording of a legal text or regulation, understood in its most literal sense without regard for the purpose or intention behind it.
The judge applied the letter of the law, though the outcome seemed harsh to many.
idiomatic: the letter of the law
Jude followed the instructions to the letter and completed the assembly in under an hour.
idiomatic: to the letter (meaning exactly)
Critics argued the committee obeyed the letter of the agreement but violated its true purpose.
Some drivers follow speed limits to the letter, while others treat them as rough guidelines.
- literal meaning
the straightforward dictionary sense of words, without interpretation or nuance
- exact wording
the precise words used in a document, focusing on what is actually written
- spirit
the intended meaning or purpose behind the words, as opposed to their literal sense
文法句型
the letter of the law/rule
to the letter
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the fixed phrases 'the letter of the law' or 'to the letter'. The opposite concept is 'the spirit of the law' — the intended meaning rather than the exact wording.
常見錯誤
4. a cloth badge shaped like the initial letter of a school's name, awarded for spo
a cloth badge shaped like the initial letter of a school's name, awarded for sports participation and typically stitched onto a varsity jacket.
Brooke earned a letter in basketball after playing on the varsity team for three seasons.
collocation: earn a letter in [sport]
The school awarded letters to every student who completed a season on an athletic team.
Aarav wore the varsity jacket with a gold letter 'A' on the front pocket.
Winning a letter in track was Yara's main goal during her senior year.
- varsity letter
fuller term, emphasising that the award comes from being on a varsity (top school) team
- athletic letter
another name for the same award, specifying the domain
文法句型
earn/get/win/receive a letter + in + sport
用法筆記
This sense is primarily used in US and Canadian secondary schools. The letter is the school's initial (e.g. 'M' for Millfield High), sewn onto a 'letter jacket' or 'varsity jacket'. The verb form 'to letter' (sense verb/1) is used for winning such an award.
常見錯誤
letter — verb
- letterpresent simple I / you / we / they
- letters3rd person singular
- lettering-ing form
- letteredpast simple
1. to be awarded a cloth badge bearing the school's initial letter as a prize for c
to be awarded a cloth badge bearing the school's initial letter as a prize for completing a season on a school sports team.
Sahil lettered in both football and swimming during four years at Lincoln High School.
letter + in + sport
To letter in a sport at that school, athletes must maintain a minimum grade average.
Christopher had lettered in baseball by the end of his sophomore year at the school.
Many students who letter in cross-country become team captains in their final year.
文法句型
letter in [sport]
letter for [school]
用法筆記
Used almost exclusively in North American high school and college sports contexts. The object of 'in' names the sport: 'letter in soccer'. You cannot say 'letter soccer' — it always takes a prepositional phrase.