Correspondence Meaning and Definition

Pronunciation

/kərəˈsɑːnd.əns/ 🔊

Part of Speech

Noun

Definition

Correspondence is the act of exchanging information, ideas, or written messages between individuals, groups, or organizations, often via mail, email, or other forms of communication.

Examples

1. “She maintained a regular correspondence with her pen pal from abroad.”

2. “The company’s marketing team handles customer correspondence and inquiries.”

Synonyms

1. Communication

2. Exchange

Antonyms

1. Nonresponse

2. Disconnection

Additional Information

Effective correspondence is crucial in both personal and professional settings, as it helps build relationships, fosters understanding, and resolves issues efficiently.

There are various types of correspondence, including business correspondence, personal correspondence, and formal correspondence, each with its own set of guidelines and protocols.

Technology has significantly impacted correspondence, enabling instant and global communication through email, social media, and messaging apps.

Proper etiquette and professionalism are essential in correspondence, ensuring clarity, politeness, and respect for the recipient.

Cultivating strong correspondence skills is essential for effective networking, collaboration, and conflict resolution in various contexts.

Etymology

The word “correspondence” stems from the Latin “correspondere,” meaning “to respond” or “to agree,” and the Old French “correspondance,” referring to the act of responding or corresponding.

Usage Notes

Correspondence is typically used in formal and professional contexts, such as business or academic settings.

In informal settings, other terms like “communication” or “exchange” might be more suitable.

Cultural References

Correspondence has been an essential theme in literature, with notable works like Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” and the Roman novel “Epistulae Morales” by Seneca the Younger.

In modern media, correspondence plays a significant role in films and TV shows, such as “The Proposal” and “The Office,” where it often serves as a plot device or character development tool.

Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases

Correspondence has no idiomatic expressions or phrases directly related, but it’s often used in phrases like “correspondence course” or “correspondence school.”

Related Words or Phrases

Correspondence is closely related to words like:

1. Communication

2. Exchange

3. Interaction

4. Response

Collocations

Some common collocations with correspondence include:

1. Business correspondence

2. Personal correspondence

3. Formal correspondence

Frequency of Use

Correspondence is a moderately frequent word in modern language, commonly used in formal and professional contexts, particularly in the Digital Age.

Common Misspellings

Some common misspellings and variations of correspondence include:

1. Correspondance (Old English misspelling)

2. Correspondanse (Typo)