envelope
envelope
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "envelope" is /ˈɛnvəˌloʊp/ or /ˈɑːnvəˌloʊp/.
en-: /ɛn/ or /ɑːn/
ve-: /və/
lope: /loʊp/
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: envelope
Plural Noun: envelopes
Verb (base form): envelope
Verb (third-person singular present): envelopes
Verb (present participle): enveloping
Verb (past tense/past participle): enveloped
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition 1: A flat, protective, often rectangular paper container with a sealable flap, used to enclose and send letters, documents, or other flat items through the mail or by hand.
Synonyms: wrapper, casing, covering, packet
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for this specific usage; conceptual opposites might be "contents" or "unwrapped item")
Definition 2: (Figurative) An encompassing or surrounding layer or sphere, often impalpable, that creates a particular atmosphere or condition.
Example: "The village was shrouded in an envelope of mist."
Synonyms: aura, atmosphere, cocoon, mantle, shroud
Antonyms: openness, void, emptiness
Verb
Definition 1: To completely cover or surround something; to enfold or encase.
Example: "The fog began to envelope the entire city."
Synonyms: surround, enclose, enfold, encase, wrap, cloak, engulf, cover
Antonyms: expose, reveal, uncover, unwrap, release
Examples of Use
Books:
"He fumbled in his jacket pocket, producing a thick, cream-colored envelope sealed with a wax impression of a raven." (From a fantasy novel)
"The detective carefully picked up the envelope from the crime scene, ensuring not to smudge any potential fingerprints." (From a mystery novel)
Newspapers:
"The city council received an anonymous envelope containing documents that raised questions about the proposed zoning changes." (Local Daily News, April 2024)
"Analysts suggest that the company's new product launch pushes the technological envelope, setting a new standard for the industry." (Financial Times, February 2025)
Online Publications:
"Tips for mailing sensitive documents: Always use a secure, tamper-evident envelope." (Lifehacker.com, November 2023)
"The artist's latest collection explores the emotional envelope of human connection, with pieces that are both deeply personal and universally resonant." (ArtReview.com, January 2025)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: In a courtroom drama, a lawyer dramatically rips open a manila envelope to reveal crucial evidence.
Television (documentary): "Scientists are continuously working to expand the envelope of human knowledge, especially in the realm of space exploration." (From a science documentary series)
Music (lyrics): "I sealed my fate in an envelope, addressed it to forgotten dreams." (From a contemporary song lyric)
Video Games: A common in-game item might be a "mysterious envelope" containing a quest or secret message.
General Public Discourse:
"Could you please pass me an envelope so I can mail this letter?" (Everyday conversation)
"They are really pushing the envelope with their designs; I've never seen anything so innovative." (Casual discussion about a new product)
"We need to stay within our budget's financial envelope for this project." (Business meeting)
"The fighter pilot described how he had to push the jet to the very edge of its performance envelope during the challenging maneuver." (Interview with a military veteran)
10 Quotes Using Envelope
"The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing. The envelope for your thoughts is action." (Walt Disney)
"Do not let the envelope of your experience limit your aspirations." (Colin Powell)
"I tried to push the envelope, to go to the limits of what a human being can do." (Alain Robert)
"Every new day is a blank envelope for you to fill." (Oprah Winfrey)
"A poem is a small machine made of words. The machine does not work without the envelope of meaning." (William Carlos Williams)
"Science pushes the envelope of what's possible." (Neil deGrasse Tyson)
"I always try to push the envelope creatively." (Lady Gaga)
"Life hands us each an envelope of possibilities; it is up to us to open it and explore." (Unknown)
"The future is an unaddressed envelope." (Frank Sinatra)
"Great art always pushes the envelope of perception." (Banksy)
Etymology
The word "envelope" has a fascinating journey through language!
At its heart, "envelope" comes from the French word "enveloppe." This French word itself is a "back-formation" from the verb "envelopper," which meant "to wrap around," "to cover," or "to fold up." If you break down "envelopper," you get "en-" (meaning "in" or "into") and "voloper," which meant "to wrap" – though the exact origin of "voloper" is a bit uncertain.
So, the core idea is all about wrapping or enclosing something.
In English, the noun "envelope" first appeared around the early 1700s, specifically around 1705 or 1707. Its initial meaning was exactly what we think of today: a wrapper or an enclosing cover, especially a prepared paper cover for a letter or other document.
Interestingly, the verb "to envelop" (meaning to surround or cover completely) is actually older in English, dating back to the late 1300s, coming directly from the Old French verb "envelopper." So, the action came first, and then the specific paper item that performs that action got its name from the French noun form.
While the modern paper envelope for letters became common in the 18th century, the concept of an "envelope" as a protective covering is much older. Ancient civilizations like the Babylonians used clay "envelopes" around 2000 B.C. to protect important clay tablets. These were literally outer layers of clay that had to be broken to access the message inside!
Phrases + Idioms Containing Envelope
Push the envelope: To extend the limits of what is possible or conventional; to innovate boldly.
Seal an envelope: To close an envelope, usually with adhesive, to secure its contents.
Open an envelope: To unseal and access the contents of an envelope.
In the envelope: Contained within an envelope (often referring to money or documents).
Within the envelope (of a budget/parameters): Staying inside a set limit or boundary.
Address an envelope: To write the recipient's address on the front of an envelope.
A sealed envelope: An envelope that has been closed and secured.
The financial envelope: The total amount of money available for something.
To mail an envelope: To send an envelope via postal service.
A plain brown envelope: Often used to imply something illicit, secret, or unofficial (e.g., "money in a plain brown envelope").
Break the envelope: Similar to "push the envelope," but can also imply surpassing a specific barrier or record (e.g., "breaking the sound envelope").
The emotional envelope: The range or extent of a person's emotions or emotional capacity.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of envelope from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
