How Do You Spell MAIL?

Pronunciation: [mˈe͡ɪl] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "mail" is interesting because it contains the diphthong /eɪ/ which represents the long vowel sound in English. This sound is often spelled with the letters "ai" as in "pain," or "ay" as in "say." However, in this case, it's spelled with only one letter, "a." The word "mail" with this specific spelling is also ambivalent in that it can be a verb or a noun, making it a versatile word in the English language.

MAIL Meaning and Definition

  1. Mail is a noun that refers to a collection of letters, packages, or other items conveyed and delivered by a postal system or courier service. It encompasses the act of sending, receiving, and handling correspondence or parcels through the post. Typically, mail includes letters, postcards, bills, catalogues, magazines, and small packages. The term also extends to electronic communication, such as emails, which are delivered through the internet.

    As a verb, mail describes the action of sending or dispatching letters, packages, or emails to someone or a specific address. It entails preparing the items for postal delivery, ensuring proper packaging, addressing, and affixing appropriate stamps or postage fees.

    Mail is a vital means of communication, facilitating the exchange of information and goods between individuals, organizations, and businesses across distances. It plays a significant role in connecting people and societies, bridging geographical gaps, and supporting socio-economic activities. The efficient functioning of postal services or courier systems is crucial for the timely and safe delivery of mail. In many countries, national agencies or private companies are responsible for the organization and management of mail services.

    Overall, mail encompasses both tangible and electronic forms of communication, as well as the processes involved in sending and receiving correspondence or packages through postal or courier networks.

  2. • Defensive covering for soldiers, consisting of steel-ringed or net work; defensive armour; an article composed of rings interwoven, used in ships for rubbing off loose hemp from the cordage.
    • In Scotch law, a term signifying rent; tribute; black-mail, a tax paid to freebooters for protection of property.
    • A spot on cloth, especially what is caused by iron.
    • A bag for the conveyance of letters; any conveyance by which letters are forwarded to their destination; the letters themselves.
    • To prepare for transmission by mail; to post letters or parcels.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for MAIL *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for MAIL

Etymology of MAIL

The word "mail" originated from the Middle English word "male", which can be traced back to the Old French word "male" meaning "wallet" or "bag". This Old French term is derived from the Frankish word "malha", which also refers to a bag or wallet. Over time, the meaning of "mail" evolved to specifically refer to a bag or pouch used for carrying letters or documents. Eventually, it came to represent the letters and parcels themselves, and nowadays, "mail" commonly refers to both the system of sending and delivering letters as well as the physical letters or packages themselves.

Idioms with the word MAIL

  • cheque is in the mail The idiom "cheque is in the mail" is used to describe a situation where someone promises to send payment, typically a check or money, through the mail, but the person being paid is skeptical about whether or not they will actually receive it. It implies the idea of a possible delay or unfulfilled commitment.
  • junk mail The idiom "junk mail" refers to unsolicited or unwanted promotional materials, advertisements, or other printed materials that are sent in bulk to individuals or businesses through the postal system. These items are typically considered unimportant or of little value to the recipient.
  • snail mail The idiom "snail mail" refers to the traditional postal service or mail system, implying that it is slower in comparison to electronic mail or other forms of instant communication. It is typically used to contrast the time it takes for physical letters or packages to be delivered through traditional mail services, often perceived as slower when compared to the speed and convenience of email, messaging apps, or other digital communication methods.
  • mail sth from sm place The idiom "mail something from somewhere" typically refers to the act of sending a letter or package to a specific destination by using a postal service. It implies physically dispatching the item from a particular place to be delivered elsewhere.
  • the check is in the mail The idiom "the check is in the mail" is often used sarcastically to imply that someone is making an excuse or false promise of sending money or payment at a later time. It suggests that the check will never actually be sent or is being used to buy more time.
  • carry the mail (for someone) The idiom "carry the mail (for someone)" means to perform a task or duty on behalf of someone else, often implying responsibility or reliability in completing the task. It implies taking on a responsibility or representing someone else's interests.
  • by return mail and by return post The idiom "by return mail and by return post" means to reply or respond to a communication immediately, typically through mail or post, with a prompt and swift response or action. It implies a quick and efficient turnaround time in addressing the received message or request.
  • mail sth to sm The idiom "mail sth to sm" means to send something to someone through the postal service or any mail delivery service. It involves physically sending a package, letter, or document to the intended recipient's address.
  • by return mail The idiom "by return mail" is a phrase typically used in written communication, indicating a prompt response or immediate reply. It implies that the recipient should expect to receive a reply to their message or inquiry in a short period of time, possibly by the very next mail delivery. It suggests a sense of efficiency and expediency in correspondence.
  • mail from sm place
  • knee-mail Knee-mail is a humorous term used to refer to prayer or spiritual communication with a higher power, typically associated with getting down on one's knees to pray.

Similar spelling words for MAIL

Plural form of MAIL is MAILS

Conjugate verb Mail

CONDITIONAL PERFECT

I would have mailed
you would have mailed
he/she/it would have mailed
we would have mailed
they would have mailed
I would have mail
you would have mail
he/she/it would have mail
we would have mail
they would have mail

CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

I would have been mailing
you would have been mailing
he/she/it would have been mailing
we would have been mailing
they would have been mailing

CONDITIONAL PRESENT

I would mail
you would mail
he/she/it would mail
we would mail
they would mail

CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE

I would be mailing
you would be mailing
he/she/it would be mailing
we would be mailing
they would be mailing

FUTURE

I will mail
you will mail
he/she/it will mail
we will mail
they will mail

FUTURE CONTINUOUS

I will be mailing
you will be mailing
he/she/it will be mailing
we will be mailing
they will be mailing

FUTURE PERFECT

I will have mailed
you will have mailed
he/she/it will have mailed
we will have mailed
they will have mailed

FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I will have been mailing
you will have been mailing
he/she/it will have been mailing
we will have been mailing
they will have been mailing

IMPERATIVE

you mail
we let´s mail

NONFINITE VERB FORMS

to mail

PAST CONTINUOUS

I was mailing
you were mailing
he/she/it was mailing
we were mailing
they were mailing

PAST PARTICIPLE

mailed

PAST PERFECT

I had mailed
you had mailed
he/she/it had mailed
we had mailed
they had mailed

PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I had been mailing
you had been mailing
he/she/it had been mailing
we had been mailing
they had been mailing

PRESENT

I mail
you mail
he/she/it mails
we mail
they mail

PRESENT CONTINUOUS

I am mailing
you are mailing
he/she/it is mailing
we are mailing
they are mailing

PRESENT PARTICIPLE

mailing

PRESENT PERFECT

I have mailed
you have mailed
he/she/it has mailed
we have mailed
they have mailed

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

I have been mailing
you have been mailing
he/she/it has been mailing
we have been mailing
they have been mailing

PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE

he/she/it mail

SIMPLE PAST

I mailed
you mailed
he/she/it mailed
we mailed
they mailed

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