Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "email" is /ˈiː.meɪl/.
Syllable Breakdown
First syllable: /iː/ (as in "see" or "sheep")
Second syllable: /meɪl/ (as in "mail" or "sail")
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: email (or e-mail)
Plural Noun: emails (or e-mails)
Present Tense Verb (base form): email (or e-mail)
Present Tense Verb (third person singular): emails (or e-mails)
Present Participle/Gerund: emailing (or e-mailing)
Past Tense Verb: emailed (or e-mailed)
Past Participle: emailed (or e-mailed)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A system of electronic communication: A method for transmitting and receiving digital messages over a computer network, primarily the internet, allowing users to send messages to one another without being online simultaneously.
Synonyms: electronic mail, e-mail, mail (in the digital context)
Antonyms: snail mail, postal mail, physical mail
An individual electronic message: A single message composed and sent or received via an electronic mail system.
Synonyms: message, dispatch, note, memo, correspondence, e-message, online mail
Antonyms: letter (referring to a physical letter), written note (referring to a physical note)
Verb
To send a message electronically: To transmit a message to someone using an electronic mail system.
Example: "I will email you the documents tomorrow."
Synonyms: send, transmit, dispatch, message, correspond (electronically), text (if used broadly for digital communication)
Antonyms: receive (an email), get (an email), reply (to an email)
To communicate by electronic mail: To engage in communication with someone through an email system.
Example: "We emailed back and forth all day about the project."
Synonyms: correspond (electronically), message
Antonyms: speak (verbally), call, phone, meet
Examples of Use
In Books
"Thank you for your email about… Thanks for sending/asking about/attending. Thanks for your quick reply. Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. Thank you for reaching out (to me)." (from "150+ Useful Email Phrases That Will Make Your Life Easier," Talaera)
The novel Frances and Bernard by Carlene Bauer is written almost entirely as a series of letters and emails exchanged between the two main characters, illustrating how their relationship develops through written correspondence. (Electric Literature, February 2019)
In Newspapers
"Don't send your letter as an attachment to the email – put the text of the letter in the body of the email." (Equality Network, "Write a letter to a newspaper")
News publications often send out "News emails" to subscribers, containing "concise, engaging content that keeps readers informed and excited about the latest updates." (Flodesk, January 2025)
In Online Publications
"The New York Times email titled 'Final hours: Best offer must end. $1/wk.' is a prime example of an effective Publication and Blog email. It leverages a time-sensitive promotional offer to create urgency..." (Flodesk, January 2025)
"Subject: Quick Question about [Project/Product/Situation] Hey [Recipient's Name], I hope you're doing well. I'm reaching out regarding [Project Name], as recommended by [Mutual Contact]. I'm seeking your help on [specific inquiry] related to [issue]." (Sender.net, August 2024) - This is an example of a common business email template.
In Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms
Many entertainment companies use email marketing to promote new releases or events. For example, "Patagonia's email titled 'Watch our new film 'In Sequence'' is a compelling Entertainment email because it promotes a new film, engaging the audience with fresh content." (Flodesk, January 2025)
Ticketing platforms often send emails confirming purchases or announcing upcoming shows, such as a "TodayTix email titled 'Top shows for the whole family this summer ☀️' which targets families looking for summer activities..." (Flodesk, January 2025)
In General Public Discourse
People frequently discuss the proper etiquette for professional communication: "Formal emails are often used in professional settings where a respectful and serious tone is required." (Stevens & Tate Marketing, April 2025)
"Timely response to customer support emails will make your customers feel acknowledged – even if you wouldn't be able to provide all the answers." (MailMaestro, September 2024)
A common piece of advice in professional development is to "avoid overly casual or overly formal language in inappropriate contexts" when writing an email. (Stevens & Tate Marketing, April 2025)
It's common to hear people say, "I'll email you the details," or "Did you get my email?" in everyday conversations, demonstrating its ubiquitous nature in modern communication.
10 Quotes Using Email
"I do love email. Wherever possible I try to communicate asynchronously. I'm really good at email." (Elon Musk)
"Every time you write an email, it is in the public domain. There are all these ways where security is not as good as people believe." (Peter Thiel)
"Email has an ability many channels don't: creating valuable, personal touches – at scale." (David Newman)
"One look at an email can rob you of 15 minutes of focus." (Jacqueline Leo)
"Turn off your email; turn off your phone; disconnect from the Internet; figure out a way to set limits so you can concentrate when you need to, and disengage when you need to." (Gretchen Rubin)
"This email could have been a phone call, but I'm socially awkward and my thumbs are faster." (Unknown, from a collection of funny email signature quotes)
"Email, instant messaging, and cell phones give us fabulous communication ability, but because we live and work in our own little worlds, that communication is totally disorganized." (Marilyn vos Savant)
"My keyboard may not be waterproof, but my sense of humor is." (Unknown, from a collection of funny email signature quotes) - This is often found in humorous email signatures.
"Not viewing your email marketing as content is a mistake." (Chris Baggott)
"Email is a wonderful thing for those people whose role in life is to be on top of things, but not for me: my role is to be on the bottom of things." (Donald Knuth)
Etymology
The word "email" is a shortened version of "electronic mail." It's essentially a blend of the word "electronic," referring to the digital nature of the communication, and "mail," which has been used for centuries to describe messages sent through a postal service.
The idea of sending messages electronically goes back to the 1960s, with early systems allowing users to leave messages for each other on the same computer. However, the first truly "networked" electronic mail, meaning messages sent between different computers, is widely credited to Ray Tomlinson in 1971. He developed a program that allowed messages to be sent across the ARPANET (a very early version of the internet) and famously used the "@" symbol to separate the user's name from the computer's address.
While the concept of "electronic mail" existed earlier, the term "email" itself started appearing in the 1970s. The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) notes its earliest evidence as a noun from 1979 in the journal Electronics. The verb form, "to email," came into use shortly after, by analogy with "to mail" something physically. The term became more widespread when CompuServe rebranded its electronic mail service as "EMAIL" in April 1981, helping to popularize the short form we use today.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Email
Hope this email finds you well: A common polite opening in a professional email.
Thanks for your email: A standard acknowledgment of a received message.
Following up on my previous email: Used to remind someone about an earlier message.
Circling back (on this email): To revisit a topic or thread that was previously discussed via email.
Let's touch base (via email): Suggesting a brief communication or check-in, often referring to an email exchange.
Drop me a line: An idiom meaning to send a message, which can frequently be an email.
Get your wires crossed: An idiom meaning to have a misunderstanding in communication, often applicable to email exchanges where tone or intent can be misinterpreted.
Lost in cyberspace: A phrase indicating something (like an email) that has been sent but has not arrived or is untraceable.
Hit the send button: To actually transmit an email.
Email bomb: A malicious or accidental flood of numerous emails to a single address, intended to crash or overwhelm a system.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of email from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
