email

Q: What is the difference between email and a text message?

Email sends messages over the internet to an address like name@example.com, suits longer content, and easily carries attachments and formatting. A text message (SMS) goes phone-to-phone via a mobile number and is built for short, instant notes. Email feels more formal and document-like; texting feels quick and casual.

7 synonyms for email, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A system for sending and receiving messages electronically over a network such as the Internet.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

message mail

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

correspondence

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

electronic mail e-mail webmail netmail

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A system for sending and receiving messages electronically over a network such as the Internet.

“The company switched its entire office to a new email system.”

electronic mail e-mail message mail webmail correspondence netmail

2. verb

To send a message to someone using this system.

“Can you email me the file when you get a chance?”

netmail

How to use email

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

send an email check your email email address

Etymology

Short for "electronic mail"; the word entered common use in the 1970s alongside the technology itself.

Full origin of email →

Frequently asked questions

What does “email” mean?

The word “email” means a system for sending and receiving messages electronically over a network such as the Internet. In plain terms, both the whole system of sending digital letters and a single one of those letters — and, as a verb, the act of sending one.

How do you pronounce “email”?

“Email” is pronounced EE-mayl (/ˈiˌmeɪl/ in IPA).

How do you use “email” in a sentence?

Here is “email” used in a sentence: “The company switched its entire office to a new email system.”

What part of speech is “email”?

Depending on how it is used, “email” can be a noun and a verb.

Where does the word “email” come from?

The word “email” dates back to around 1970. Short for "electronic mail"; the word entered common use in the 1970s alongside the technology itself.

Is “email” a common word?

“Email” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

How many meanings does “email” have?

“Email” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a system for sending and receiving messages electronically over a network such as the Internet.

What is the difference between email and a text message?

Email sends messages over the internet to an address like [email protected], suits longer content, and easily carries attachments and formatting. A text message (SMS) goes phone-to-phone via a mobile number and is built for short, instant notes. Email feels more formal and document-like; texting feels quick and casual.

What are the main parts of an email?

A typical email has a recipient address, an optional carbon-copy (Cc) or blind-copy (Bcc) line, a subject line summarizing the topic, a body containing the main message, and often a signature with the sender's name and details. Files can be attached, and the sender's address is shown automatically.

Is email formal or informal?

Email can be either, depending on context. Business, academic, and job-related messages usually follow a formal structure with a greeting, clear subject, and professional sign-off. Notes to friends and family are often casual. Email's flexibility across both registers is a big reason it remains so widely used.

Related words

webmail

People also searched

message mail correspondence webmail netmail

Nearby words

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