What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
letter
Example
I received a letter from my friend who lives in another country. [letter: noun]
Example
She wrote a letter of complaint to the company's customer service department. [letter: noun]
missive
Example
The ambassador sent a missive to the foreign ministry regarding the current situation. [missive: noun]
Example
The CEO issued a missive to all employees outlining the company's new policies. [missive: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Letter is a more common and versatile term that is used in everyday language, while missive is less commonly used and has a more formal connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between letter and missive?
Missive is a more formal term that is often used in official or diplomatic contexts, while letter can be used in both formal and informal situations.
