envelope
EHN-vuh-lohp
Envelope (noun) means a flat paper or cardboard cover used to hold and mail letters or documents. Example: “He slid the cheque into an envelope and wrote the address on the front.”
noun
1
A flat paper or cardboard cover used to hold and mail letters or documents.
"He slid the cheque into an envelope and wrote the address on the front."
"Please put your application in a stamped envelope and post it today."
"She sealed the invitation inside a cream-colored envelope."
2
The outer limits within which something, especially an aircraft or system, can safely operate.
"Flying outside the safe envelope of the aircraft can damage the wings."
"Engineers tested the machine well inside its operating envelope before pushing further."
"The test pilot pushed the plane's performance envelope to its limits."
verb
1
To wrap something up completely, enclosing it.
"She enveloped the sleeping baby in a soft blanket."
"Thick smoke enveloping the building made it hard for anyone to see."
"Fog began to envelope the entire valley by nightfall."
How to use envelope
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA paper wrapper for a letter — or, more abstractly, the outer boundary of what's safely possible.
Common mistake
The verb meaning "to wrap or surround" is spelled "envelop," with no final E — "envelope" (with the E) is only the noun.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
push the envelope
seal an envelope
stamped envelope
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like envelope.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- envelopes
- Third person singular
- envelopes
- Past tense
- enveloped
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He slid the cheque into an _____ and wrote the address on the front.
Etymology
From French enveloppe. The "safe operating limits" sense grew out of the aviation phrase "flight envelope."
Related words
Rhymes for envelope
See all rhymes for envelope →Frequently asked questions
What does “envelope” mean?
The word “envelope” means a flat paper or cardboard cover used to hold and mail letters or documents. In plain terms, a paper wrapper for a letter — or, more abstractly, the outer boundary of what's safely possible.
How do you pronounce “envelope”?
“Envelope” is pronounced EHN-vuh-lohp (/ˈɛnvə(ˌ)loʊp/ in IPA).
How do you use “envelope” in a sentence?
Here is “envelope” used in a sentence: “She sealed the invitation inside a cream-colored envelope.”
What part of speech is “envelope”?
Depending on how it is used, “envelope” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “envelope” come from?
The word “envelope” comes from French. From French enveloppe. The "safe operating limits" sense grew out of the aviation phrase "flight envelope.".
Is “envelope” a common word?
“Envelope” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “envelope” have?
“Envelope” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a flat paper or cardboard cover used to hold and mail letters or documents.
What is the difference between an envelope and a flight envelope?
In everyday use, an envelope is the paper cover used to mail letters and documents. In aviation and engineering, a "flight envelope" refers to the outer limits within which an aircraft or system can operate safely, such as maximum speed or altitude. The two senses share the idea of a boundary or covering but apply to very different contexts.
What does it mean to "push the envelope"?
This idiom comes from the technical meaning of envelope as the safe operating limits of a system, especially an aircraft. To push the envelope means to test or exceed normal boundaries of what is considered safe or acceptable, extending performance or behavior beyond established limits.
Can "envelope" be used as a verb?
Yes, as a verb it means to wrap something up completely, enclosing it on all sides. This usage is far less common than the noun form and is often confused with the closely related word "envelop," which is the standard spelling for the verb in modern English.
