noun Uncommon

inbox

IHN-boks

Inbox (noun) means the folder in an email or messaging app where new messages arrive. Example: “She had over two hundred unread emails sitting in her inbox.”

noun

The folder in an email or messaging app where new messages arrive.

"She had over two hundred unread emails sitting in her inbox."

A physical tray on a desk for papers waiting to be dealt with.

"He dropped the invoice into the inbox on his manager's desk."

verb

To send someone a private message, especially on social media.

"Just inbox me the details and I'll sort it out."

How to use inbox

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishWhere new messages or documents land, waiting for you to deal with them.

When to use it

As a verb ("inbox me"), it's informal internet slang.

Common pairings

check your inbox inbox zero inbox me

Word forms

inboxed past tense, inboxes plural, inboxes singular

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She had over two hundred unread emails sitting in her _____.

Etymology

From in plus box.

Synonyms

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message

Related words

note message content meaning email theme notification ping

Frequently asked questions

What does “inbox” mean?

The word “inbox” means the folder in an email or messaging app where new messages arrive. In plain terms, where new messages or documents land, waiting for you to deal with them.

How do you pronounce “inbox”?

“Inbox” is pronounced IHN-boks (/ˈɪnbɑks/ in IPA).

How do you use “inbox” in a sentence?

Here is “inbox” used in a sentence: “She had over two hundred unread emails sitting in her inbox.”

What is another word for “inbox”?

Words with a similar meaning to “inbox” include message.

What part of speech is “inbox”?

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

Is “inbox” a common word?

“Inbox” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “inbox” have?

“Inbox” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the folder in an email or messaging app where new messages arrive.

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