English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology

noun

philately

fi-LAT-uh-lee

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Philately (noun) means the hobby of collecting postage stamps. Example: “He took up philately as a boy and still collects stamps today.”

noun

1

The hobby of collecting postage stamps.

"He took up philately as a boy and still collects stamps today."

"The club meets monthly to share news about philately."

"Her grandmother's love of philately filled several albums with stamps."

2

The study of postage stamps and the postal systems behind them.

"His thesis on wartime philately traced how postal routes changed over time."

"Philately can involve researching a stamp's printing history as much as owning it."

How to use philately

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe hobby and study of postage stamps.

When to use it

Stamp collecting is the everyday term for this hobby.

Memory tip

The Greek roots point to a stamp showing postage was already paid, which is the idea behind the word.

Trace the full origin ↓

Common pairings

an interest in philately philately enthusiasts

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “philately” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

He took up _____ as a boy and still collects stamps today.

Etymology

The word was coined in French in the 1860s by a stamp collector, who built it from Ancient Greek elements meaning roughly 'love' and 'without a charge'. The second part alluded to how a stamp showed that postage had already been paid, rather than charged to whoever received the letter.

Origin: French

Synonyms

stamp collecting

Rhymes for philately

rely comely lonely timely lovely homely widely lively lately rarely barely likely

See all rhymes for philately →

Frequently asked questions

What does philately mean?

It means stamp collecting, or more broadly the study of postage stamps and postal history.

Where does the word philately come from?

It was coined in French in the 1860s from Ancient Greek roots, referring to the idea of postage having already been paid by the sender.

Is philately the same as just owning stamps?

Not quite. It usually implies actively studying and organising stamps, not simply owning them.

What is the meaning of philately?

"philately" (noun) means the hobby of collecting postage stamps.

Definitions: FreeDict original editorial