let‧ter 1 S1 W1 / letə $ -ər / 名词 [可数名词]
1 a written or printed message that is usually put in an envelope and sent by mail
letter from/to
I got a letter from Melanie today.
Bart’s writing a letter to his parents. → chain letter , letter of credit , open letter
2 a sign in writing or printing that represents a speech sound :
There are 26 letters in the English alphabet.
Fill in the form in capital letters (= written in their large form ) . → block letters
3 to the letter paying exact attention to the details of something :
I followed the instructions to the letter, but it still wouldn’t work.
4 the letter of the law the exact words of a law or agreement rather than the intended or general meaning :
employees who stick to the letter of the law in their contracts → the spirit of the law at spirit 1 ( 11 )
5 American English a large cloth letter that you sew onto a jacket, given as a reward for playing in a school or college sports team :
Mark got a letter in soccer.
6 English/American/German etc letters [复数形式] formal the study of the literature of a particular country or language :
a major figure in English letters
→ dead letter , man of letters
COLLOCATIONS
动词
get a letter ( also receive a letter formal ) I got a letter from my mother.
write a letter He wrote a letter inviting her to visit.
send a letter The school sent a letter to all the children’s parents.
post a letter British English , mail a letter American English Could you post this letter for me?
answer a letter/reply to a letter I never answered his letter.
open a letter Bill opened the letter and read it.
read a letter May I read her letter?
a letter comes/arrives A letter came for you today.
a letter is addressed to somebody (= has their name and address on the envelope ) The letter was addressed to Mr. John Appleby.
ADJECTIVES/NOUN + letter
long/short She was thrilled to get a long letter from her son.
formal/informal The letter sounded very formal.
a personal letter I don’t want him reading my personal letters.
a business letter In business letters you often use 短语 such as ‘I would be grateful if …’.
an official letter I received an official letter thanking me for my enquiry.
a love letter The book had a copy of a love letter from King Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn.
a thank-you letter Mum made me write thank-you letters for all my birthday presents.
a covering letter British English , a cover letter American English (= that you send with your CV to an employer ) Always enclose a cover letter with your resume.
短语
a letter of thanks/introduction/complaint etc I finally got a letter of apology from the company.
COMMON ERRORS
► Do not say ’ invitation letter ’ or ’ complaint letter ‘. Say letter of invitation or letter of complaint .