email/e-mail/E-mail
email/e-mail/E-mail
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "email" is /ˈiːmeɪl/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds by syllable:
e- /iː/ (as in "see")
mail /meɪl/ (as in "sail")
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: email
Plural Noun: emails
Verb (base form): email
Verb (third-person singular present): emails
Verb (present participle): emailing
Verb (past tense/past participle): emailed
Gerund: emailing
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A system for sending and receiving messages electronically over a computer network.
Example: "I sent an email to my colleague about the project deadline."
Synonyms: electronic mail, message, communiqué, correspondence
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for the system itself, as it describes a medium)
A message sent or received via such a system.
Example: "I received an email from my bank today."
Synonyms: message, communiqué, memo, note, letter
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for the message itself, but one could consider older forms of communication as indirect antonyms, e.g., "snail mail," "physical letter")
Verb
To send a message to someone by electronic mail.
Example: "Please email me the updated report."
Synonyms: send, transmit, forward, dispatch
Antonyms: receive, get (when referring to the act of sending)
Examples of Use
Books:
"She checked her phone compulsively, hoping for an email from her editor with feedback on the latest chapter." (Fictional example, commonly found in contemporary novels depicting modern life)
"In The Social Network, the early days of Facebook are depicted, showcasing how Mark Zuckerberg developed the platform, which eventually overshadowed traditional email for casual communication among many users." (Reference to a book about a true story, highlighting a shift in communication)
Newspapers:
"The local council announced that residents can now submit their planning applications via email, streamlining the process." (Daily Nation)
"Cybersecurity experts warn against phishing emails targeting unsuspecting users, urging caution when opening attachments from unknown senders." (The Guardian)
Online Publications:
"How to write a professional email that gets results: Tips for subject lines, tone, and call-to-action." (From an article on Forbes.com or LinkedIn Learning Blog, 2025 - a common "how-to" topic)
"Google's new AI features are set to revolutionize how we manage our email inboxes, offering smart replies and automated summaries." (From TechCrunch.com, 2024 - reporting on technology advancements)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Television Series/Movies:
Character on a TV show: "Did you get my email about the client meeting for tomorrow?" (Common dialogue in workplace dramas or comedies)
News reporter on a crime show: "Police are reviewing the suspect's email correspondence for any leads." (Often used in investigative narratives)
Video Games:
In-game notification: "New Email received from 'Quest Giver' - Check your inbox!" (Many modern RPGs or simulation games incorporate in-game email systems for quests or lore)
Player discussion forum: "Anyone else having trouble with the in-game email client crashing?" (Players discussing game mechanics)
Social Media:
Company advertisement on Instagram: "Sign up for our newsletter to receive exclusive offers directly to your email inbox!" (Common call to action for marketing)
Personal tweet: "Just spent an hour clearing out old emails. Productivity win!" (Informal personal update)
General Public Discourse:
"Could you just email me the details when you have them?" (Casual conversation between colleagues or friends)
"I'll email you later to confirm the appointment." (Common phrase for making arrangements)
"My email is example@domain.com if you need to reach me." (Providing contact information)
"I always get so many spam emails." (Common complaint about unwanted messages)
10 Famous Quotes Using Email/e-mail/E-mail
"There's something about email that is very seductive. It's almost like a virtual water cooler. But I think it's also a very good way to avoid human contact." (Elon Musk, a paraphrase of his views on email's mixed impact)
"The inbox is a to-do list that anyone can add to." (Merlin Mann, referencing the nature of email management)
"I believe the Internet and email have become the 'nervous system' of the global village." (Bill Gates, 1999, describing its foundational role)
"You've got mail!" (AOL's iconic notification, widely recognized by users in the late 1990s and early 2000s)
"Email is a wonderful thing for people whose role it is to communicate and have ideas, but it's a terrible thing for people whose role it is to get things done." (Jeff Bezos, often attributed to him, highlighting its double-edged nature)
"We don't need more information. We need more wisdom. Email just brings us more information." (A sentiment often expressed by digital minimalist advocates, reflecting on information overload)
"I check my email first thing in the morning, and last thing at night. It's a curse and a blessing." (Common public discourse, representing the widespread reliance on email)
"The biggest problem with email is that it's just too easy." (A general observation about its pervasive use and potential for misuse)
"He who is in a hurry to receive email has not yet understood the true rhythm of life." (A metaphorical quote playing on the often-urgent nature of email)
"My life is lived in my email inbox. It’s where I get my news, my work, and my social life." (A contemporary, though not "famous," quote reflecting the centrality of email for many individuals)
Etymology
The word "email" is a straightforward shortening of "electronic mail."
Think of it like this: just as "mail" traditionally referred to letters and parcels sent through a physical postal system, "electronic mail" refers to messages sent through an electronic system – specifically, computers connected over a network.
The term "electronic mail" has been around since at least 1975, but the shorter form "email" (or "e-mail" with the hyphen) started appearing in the late 1970s, with the first known use of "email" as a noun recorded in 1979 in the journal Electronics.
The concept itself, of sending messages between computers, dates back to the 1960s. The pivotal moment that really kicked off what we know as modern email was in 1971, when Ray Tomlinson sent the first message between two computers on the ARPANET (the precursor to the internet). He's also credited with inventing the use of the "@" symbol to separate the user's name from their computer's address, a system that's still fundamental to email today. His early messages were simple tests, like "QWERTYUIOP."
Phrases + Idioms Containing Email/e-mail/E-mail
"To shoot an email (to someone)": To send a quick, informal email.
Example: "I'll shoot you an email with the details later."
"To drop an email (to someone)": Similar to "shoot an email," implying a casual sending.
Example: "Just drop me an email if you have any questions."
"Email blast": A single email message sent to a very large number of recipients. Often used in marketing.
Example: "Our marketing team is planning an email blast for the new product launch."
"Email chain": A series of replies to an original email, forming a continuous conversation.
Example: "This email chain about the project budget is getting out of hand."
"Email thread": Similar to an "email chain," often used to refer to all the messages related to a particular subject.
Example: "Can you forward me the entire email thread on that client issue?"
"Inbox zero": A popular productivity concept where one strives to keep their email inbox empty or nearly empty by processing messages as they arrive.
Example: "I'm trying to achieve inbox zero by the end of the week."
"Digital deluge" (using a synonym for email's effect): Refers to an overwhelming amount of digital communication, including emails.
Example: "After my vacation, I returned to a digital deluge in my inbox."
"Lost in the ether" (metaphorical, often applies to emails): When a digital message, including an email, seems to have disappeared or not been received.
Example: "I sent that report yesterday; I hope it didn't get lost in the ether."
"To be chained to one's inbox" (original/lesser-known): To feel constantly tied to checking and responding to emails.
Example: "I feel like I'm chained to my inbox all day, unable to focus on other tasks."
"To clear one's inbox" (common action phrase): To process and reduce the number of messages in one's email inbox.
Example: "I need an hour just to clear my inbox before I can start anything new."
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of email/e-mail/E-mail from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
