pen friend

I have a pen friend who lives in another country.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A person with whom one corresponds by mail: A "pen friend" is someone, typically in a different country or region, with whom one exchanges letters or written correspondence, often to practice language skills, learn about another culture, or build a friendship without meeting in person.

Usage Examples

• (A person with whom I exchange letters regularly.)
• (An organized scheme for exchanging letters between students.)

Advanced Usage

• "to have a pen friend": to be in a regular correspondence relationship.
  • Having a pen friend is a great way to learn about another country. (Maintaining a mail-based friendship.)
• "to write to a pen friend": to send a letter to one's correspondent.
  • I wrote to my pen friend about my summer vacation. (I composed and sent a letter to my correspondent.)

Variants and Related Words

• Pen pal (n): a synonym for "pen friend," more common in American English.
  • My pen pal from Australia sends me postcards. (A correspondent by mail.)
• Pen-friendship (n): the relationship or state of being pen friends.
  • Our pen-friendship has lasted for over ten years. (The bond formed through letter writing.)

Synonyms

• Correspondent: a person who regularly writes letters to another.
• Epistolary friend: a less common, formal term for a friend maintained through written letters.

Related Idioms

• Strike up a correspondence: to begin writing letters to someone regularly.
  • They struck up a correspondence after meeting at a conference. (They started exchanging letters.)

Phrasal Verbs

• Write to: to send a letter to someone.
  • I write to my pen friend every Sunday. (I send letters to my correspondent regularly.)
• Hear from: to receive a letter or message from someone.
  • I haven't heard from my pen friend in a few months. (I haven't received a letter from my pen friend.)