postal code
4 synonyms for postal code, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A short series of letters, numbers or both, added to an address so that mail can be sorted and delivered to the right area or street.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use postal code
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
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Neutral. Postal code is the standard term in Canada and much international usage; British English says postcode, American English says ZIP code, and India says PIN code.
Etymology
From postal, from French poste and Italian posta, ultimately from Latin ponere meaning 'to place'; plus code, from Latin codex.
Full origin of postal code →Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a postal code and a ZIP code?
They do the same job under different national systems. ZIP code is the American term and is numeric — five digits, optionally plus four more. Postal code is the general term used elsewhere; Canadian ones alternate letters and numbers, and British postcodes mix letters and numbers in two blocks.
What is the difference between a postal code and an area code?
A postal code routes mail to a geographic delivery area. An area code routes telephone calls to a region. They cover different territories and are never interchangeable, even though both are tied to place.
How specific is a postal code?
It depends on the country. A US ZIP code usually covers a whole town or a district of a city, while a full UK postcode narrows down to a handful of addresses on one street, and a Canadian one can identify a single large building.
