Definition

1. Noun:

   • A written or printed symbol representing a sound in a language: A letter is one of the individual characters that make up an alphabet, used to write words.
   • A written message, typically on paper, sent to a person or organization: A letter is a piece of correspondence, often sent by mail.
   • A strict, literal interpretation of words or rules: The letter refers to the exact wording or literal meaning, as opposed to the spirit or intent.
   • An award for athletic achievement: In some contexts, especially US schools, a letter is a cloth emblem awarded to a student for participation or excellence in a sport.

2. Verb:

   • To inscribe or mark with letters: To letter something is to write, print, or carve letters onto it.
   • To earn an athletic award: To letter is to win a varsity athletic award, typically represented by a cloth emblem.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • The word "cat" begins with the letter 'c'.
  • She received a long letter from her friend overseas.
  • He followed the instructions to the letter, without making any changes.
  • She was proud to earn her varsity letter in basketball.

• Verb:

  • The artist will letter the sign by hand.
  • He lettered in football and track during his senior year.

Advanced Usage

• "To the letter": Following instructions or rules exactly and precisely.

  • The contract was executed to the letter, leaving no room for error.

• "Man/woman of letters": A person who is engaged in literary pursuits, especially a writer or scholar.

  • He was respected not just as a scientist but as a man of letters.

• "Letter of the law": The strict, literal interpretation of the law, as opposed to its spirit or intent.

  • They adhered to the letter of the law, even when it seemed unjust.

Variants and Related Words

• Lettering (n): The process or style of writing or inscribing letters.

  • The beautiful lettering on the monument was done by a master calligrapher.

• Letter-perfect (adj): Correct in every detail; perfectly memorized or executed.

  • Her recitation of the poem was letter-perfect.

• Letterhead (n): A printed heading on stationery, stating a person's or organization's name and address.

  • The official statement was sent on company letterhead.

Synonyms

• Noun (for a written message): Missive, note, epistle, correspondence.
• Noun (for an alphabetic character): Character, symbol, grapheme.
• Verb (to inscribe): Inscribe, write, print, mark.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Letter up (informal, often in passive): To earn a varsity athletic letter.
  • By the end of the season, five new players had been lettered up.

Related Idioms

• A dead letter: A law, rule, or practice that is no longer observed or enforced.

  • That old regulation is now a dead letter and is widely ignored.

• Open letter: A letter, often of protest or appeal, addressed to a specific person but published in a newspaper or online for the public to read.

  • The activist published an open letter to the president in the national newspaper.

Noun

1. an award earned by participation in a school sport
   • he won letters in three sports
2. a strictly literal interpretation (as distinct from the intention)
   • he followed instructions to the letter
   • he obeyed the letter of the law
3. owner who lets another person use something (housing usually) for hire
4. the conventional characters of the alphabet used to represent speech
   • his grandmother taught him his letters
5. a written message addressed to a person or organization
   • mailed an indignant letter to the editor

Verb

1. mark letters on or mark with letters
2. set down or print with letters
3. win an athletic letter