epistle

Meanings

1. 1nouncountableformalliterary

   A formal or literary letter, especially one written for publication or public reading.

   Grammar: Countable; use 'an epistle' or 'epistles'. Often followed by 'to' plus the recipient.

   Patterns

   • an epistle to someone
   • write an epistle
   • a long epistle

   The poet's epistle to his friend was later published in a collection.

   She wrote a lengthy epistle to the editor, complaining about the new policy.

   In the novel, the heroine receives an epistle from a mysterious stranger.

2. 2nouncountablereligion

   One of the letters written by an apostle in the New Testament.

   Grammar: Often capitalized in this sense, e.g., 'the Epistle to the Romans'.

   Patterns

   • the Epistle to the Romans
   • Paul's epistles
   • read the epistle

   The reading for today is from the Epistle to the Philippians.

   Scholars study the Pauline epistles for early Christian history.

Word forms

Common combinations

a long epistle

He sent me a long epistle about his travels.

write an epistle

She wrote an epistle to the king.

the Epistle to the Romans

The preacher quoted from the Epistle to the Romans.

an epistle from someone

I received an epistle from my old professor.

Synonyms and how they differ

letter

The everyday word; 'epistle' is more formal and often implies literary or public intent.

missive

A formal or humorous term for a letter; 'epistle' is more neutral and literary.

Word family

epistolary adjective

Relating to letters or letter-writing, as in an epistolary novel.

Commonly confused: epistle or apostle?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “epistle”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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