letter-writing
Composing postal correspondence
Letter-writing is the activity or practice of composing and sending written correspondence by mail.
Before telephones and email, letter-writing was a primary means of long-distance communication, and its conventions—salutations, closings, proper form—were taught as essential skills.
The term now often carries nostalgic connotations, suggesting a more deliberate and personal form of communication than digital messaging: She took up letter-writing to stay connected with her grandmother.
Long-distance letter friend
- stationeryCorrespondence writing materials
- envelopeFolded paper enclosure
- postageFee for mailing
- salutationExpression of goodwill
closing · dear · sincerely · stamp · mailbox · recipient · sender · address
Expression of shared grief
- thank-youExpression of gratitude
- heartfeltDeeply and sincerely meant
- intimateClosely personal or private
- confessionAdmission of wrongdoing
sentiment · gratitude · sympathy · apology · friendship · keepsake · emotions · memories
Feather used for writing
- parchmentTreated hide for manuscripts
- wax sealStamped adhesive closure
- inkwellContainer for dipping pens
- calligraphyOrnamental handwriting art
scribe · epistle · manuscript · blotter · fountain pen · sealing wax · signet · courier
Formal internal correspondence
- officialAuthority-sanctioned person or status
- professionalCredentialed in one's field
- typedInput via keyboard
- signatureHandwritten name for verification
reference · inquiry · complaint · request · application · recommendation · resignation · notice
pen pal
Long-distance letter friend
- stationeryCorrespondence writing materials
- envelopeFolded paper enclosure
- postageFee for mailing
salutation · closing · dear · sincerely · stamp · mailbox · recipient · sender · address · reply
condolence
Expression of shared grief
- thank-youExpression of gratitude
- heartfeltDeeply and sincerely meant
- intimateClosely personal or private
confession · sentiment · gratitude · sympathy · apology · friendship · keepsake · emotions · memories · longing
quill
Feather used for writing
- parchmentTreated hide for manuscripts
- wax sealStamped adhesive closure
- inkwellContainer for dipping pens
calligraphy · scribe · epistle · manuscript · blotter · fountain pen · sealing wax · signet · courier · dispatch
memorandum
Formal internal correspondence
- officialAuthority-sanctioned person or status
- professionalCredentialed in one's field
- typedInput via keyboard
signature · reference · inquiry · complaint · request · application · recommendation · resignation · notice · protocol
penmanship
Skill of forming letters
gilt · watermark · vellum · nib · copperplate · script · elegant · aesthetic · craft · revival
- mourningfuneral, burial, grief, bereavement, wake
letter-writingtexting
Sending typed mobile messages
instant messaging · tweeting · emailing · phone calls · FaceTime
letter, write, writer, writing, written, literature, literary