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to letter

to letter

6 7.7
To write words or names on a surface
  • verb
  • /ˈlɛtər/
translation icon : rotular
  • She spent the afternoon carefully lettering the invitations for her wedding.
  • lettered signs
  • hand-lettered sign

Examples

  • Enough light remained for a sign lettered beside a door to be read: NO HIRING.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • On the walls, there are photo blow-ups, some artifacts, and hand-lettered information on cardboard.

    Fiction book (1996)
  • If only she could post a big, black-lettered sign: SPILL A DRINK AND DIE!

    Fiction book (1999)
  • Rather, he apparently wanted these lettered placards to speak of the work of the hand.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Mike raised a large cardboard sign on which he had lettered APPLAUSE.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • Then she sat down and took out the form with Mr. DiTaranto's address neatly lettered across the top.

    Fiction book (2001)
  • The girl pointed at a hand-lettered sign on the cash register and smiled wanly.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • We tighten as he stops to read a hand-lettered sign next to it: "BLACK SEMINOLE EXHIBIT REAR ENTRANCE."

    Fiction book (1996)
  • A rustically lettered sign on a piece of knotty pine said, STATE YO' BIZNESS POLITE-LIKE.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • Both wear shorts and carry backpacks over their T-shirts, lettered with the words, I CLIMBED MT. ST. HELEN'S.

    Fiction book (2001)

Synonyms

to write
vsto letter
1.0

Put letters and words onto a surface using a pen or keyboard

is about marking specifically with letters onto a surface rather than general writing
to type
vsto letter
367 1.0

To write words using a keyboard on a computer or typewriter

describes marking letters but not specifically by mechanical input
to engrave
vsto letter
47 5.2

To cut words and pictures into a hard surface like metal or wood

means making letters but not necessarily by cutting into material
to stamp
vsto letter
40 2.2

To press a design or letters into something with a tool

is limited to marking letters rather than general shaping or stamping
to inscribe
vsto letter
31 5.3

Put words on something like a book or monument so they last

focuses on making letters without stressing lasting or formal intent
to emboss
vsto letter
  • Specialized
13 6.8

To raise a design on paper or leather by pressing it

focuses on making letters rather than creating raised decorative designs
to imprint
vsto letter
12 3.8

To press something so it leaves a mark

relates to making letters but not necessarily by leaving pressed impressions
to impress
vsto letter
8 4.5

To press a design into a surface

involves letters specifically, not general pressed designs or images
to print
vsto letter
4 1.0

To write words by hand using separate upright letters

is about marking letters on surfaces regardless of joined or separate style
to scribe
vsto letter
3 7.4

To mark a surface with a sharp point or write something carefully by hand

is about marking letters generally rather than careful, tool-guided drawing
to stencil
vsto letter
1 4.8

To make a pattern on a surface by applying paint through a thin sheet with holes

means marking letters but not specifically by using a cut template
to grave
vsto letter
  • Archaic
1 7.7

To cut letters or a design into a hard surface

covers marking letters generally without the cutting or etching method
to calligraph
vsto letter
1 9.7

Write by hand in a beautiful style

is neutral marking of letters without decorative or artistic emphasis
to monogram
vsto letter
1 4.9

To add joined initials to something as decoration or a mark of ownership

is about marking letters broadly rather than adding decorative ownership marks
to emboss initials
vsto letter
  • Specialized
7.1

To press initials so they are raised above the surface

refers to marking letters generally without the raised decorative effect
to incuse
vsto letter
  • Specialized
9.9

To press a design into metal so it sits below the surface

is about marking letters but not specifically by creating recessed impressions

Idioms

to the letter
  • Formal
23 4.4

Act exactly as told, without changing any detail

Phrasal Verbs

to letter bomb
  • Offensive
8.8

To send a bomb hidden in an envelope to hurt someone

To close a letter with wax or glue so it cannot be opened without notice

Compounds

56 2.0

A written message that tells someone you have romantic feelings for them

cover letter
  • Formal
16 3.5

A short letter you send with a job application to introduce yourself and say why you fit the job

open letter
  • Literature
16 4.0

A letter written to one person but published for everyone to read to make people notice a problem

A letter someone sends without saying who they are

11 4.8

A message that asks you to send it to many people, often as a scam

11 2.1

A small tool with a thin blade for cutting envelopes

9 2.7

A message from someone who likes a famous person, showing praise or support

four-letter word
  • Offensive
9 7.7

A rude or offensive word with four letters used to show anger

A person who writes letters to send messages to other people

A written sign that stands for a sound in a language, like A or B

8 5.1

A written note that says a person or company plans to do something before a contract is signed

personal letter
  • Informal
7 1.0

A private written message sent to one person about personal matters

5 3.2

A letter sent to many people with the same text

4 2.3

A person who delivers mail and packages to homes and shops

scarlet letter
  • Literature
4 9.4

A mark that shows in public that someone is guilty and causes shame

A large letter that you use at the start of a sentence or name

3 7.6

An occasion like a wedding or graduation that you remember as very special

3 3.0

A single capital letter written clearly and not joined to other letters

red letter day
  • Informal
2 4.1

A day that is very special and makes people happy

2 4.4

An award made of cloth for students who play well on a school's main sports team

1 2.7

A formal letter from one company or person to another about business matters

1 5.5

A bank document that promises to pay a seller if a buyer meets certain conditions

letter bomb
  • Offensive
1 7.8

A small bomb hidden in an envelope that explodes when opened

Exactly correct in every word, matching the original text

A small letter of the alphabet that is not a capital

An honest written message that shows strong feelings

1 1.9

A letter that is not a capital letter

black letter
  • Archaic
1 9.9

A heavy old-style print with thick sharp letters used in early books

1 7.7

A piece of mail that cannot be delivered or returned to the sender

1 7.7

A law or rule that is no longer enforced

1 2.6

A formal letter that praises someone's success or achievement

1 3.4

A formal letter praising someone for an important success

crank letter
  • Offensive
1 8.6

A letter sent anonymously to threaten or upset someone

1 9.9

A thin cover worn on the penis during sex to prevent pregnancy and infection

1 1.0

A box or slot at a house where mail is delivered

runic letter
  • Literature
1 9.9

A letter from an old Germanic alphabet used long ago in northern Europe

A large letter that begins names and sentences

9.9

A formal way of writing legal rules using very exact words

5.6

A bank's written promise to pay a seller for goods when required papers arrive

A short letter that you send with other documents to explain them

9.9

A letter the pope sends to all Catholic bishops about Church teaching or practice

air letter
  • Archaic
6.4

A lightweight sheet that folds into its own envelope to send by air mail

A letter sent by air to another country so it arrives faster

A short rude English word of four letters that insults someone

A government paper that lets a private ship owner capture enemy ships and goods during war

9.9

Official government permission for a private ship to capture enemy ships and cargo

Letter of Jeremiah
  • Literature
9.9

A short religious letter warning Jews in Babylon not to worship idols

1.0

Paper in a common size used for writing letters

letter bond
  • Specialized
9.9

A loan not registered with the government and sold only to certain buyers

1.8

A numbered box at a post office that people rent to receive mail

1.8

A public box where people put letters for the post to collect

letter security
  • Specialized
9.4

A stock or bond not registered with the government that cannot be sold in public markets

letter stock
  • Specialized
8.9

Shares not registered with the government that cannot be sold to the public

letter telegram
  • Archaic
8.2

A cheaper written message sent abroad and delivered the next day

market letter
  • Jargon
6.2

A short report that gives news and advice about the stock market

7.7

A letter saying the buyer will keep shares and not sell them soon

night letter
  • Archaic
9.3

A telegram sent at night to arrive the next day for less money

A day you remember because it was very happy or important

An unsigned angry letter written to hurt or insult someone

An anonymous letter that says cruel things to hurt someone

polyphonic letter
  • Specialized
9.8

A letter that has two or more sounds in different words

A bank paper that lets a person get money while traveling abroad

6.0

A letter that shows too much love or strong feelings

How Permanent

to inscribe
31 5.3
to letter
6 7.7
to print
397 1.0
to paint
854 1.0
to scrawl
23 5.5

Surface Forms

letter infinitive
lettered past
lettered past participle
lettering present participle
letters third person singular

Etymology

The verb letter (to mark with letters) comes from the noun letter (from Latin littera) and simply means to put letters or words onto a surface.