What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
letters
Example
I received a letter from my friend who lives in another country. [letter: noun]
Example
She wrote a letter to her grandmother, thanking her for the birthday gift. [letter: verb]
missive
Example
The company sent a missive to all employees outlining the new policies. [missive: noun]
Example
He wrote a lengthy missive to his boss, explaining his reasons for resigning. [missive: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Letter is a more common word than missive and is used in everyday language, while missive is less common and often reserved for more formal or official contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between letters and missive?
Missive is typically associated with a more formal and serious tone, while letter can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
