envelope
noun
ˈän-
How do you pronounce envelope?: Usage Guide
The \ˈen-\ and \ˈän-\ pronunciations are used with about equal frequency, and both are fully acceptable, though the \ˈän-\ version is sometimes decried as "pseudo-French." Actually \ˈän-\ is exactly what one would expect to hear when a French word like entrepreneur is becoming anglicized. Envelope, however, has been in English for nearly 300 years, plenty of time for it to become completely anglicized and for both of its pronunciations to win respectability.
Examples of envelope in a Sentence
Madeline Gunderson, USA TODAY, 29 Mar. 2024
Pennsylvania officials recently redesigned the outer envelopes for the mail-in ballots to try to remind voters to write the current date under their signatures.
—Hansi Lo Wang, NPR, 27 Mar. 2024
Separate staff members then review the ballots, stamp them with Woodall's initials and complete the assembly process by making sure each prepared envelope has a ballot.
—Journal Sentinel, 21 Mar. 2024
However, a glimpse behind the curtain — er, uh, envelope — has emerged in backstage photos.
—Dustin Nelson, EW.com, 11 Mar. 2024
Cena took the stage with nothing but an oversized winner's envelope to cover his groin area...and a pair of Birkenstocks.
—Kelly Wynne, Peoplemag, 11 Mar. 2024
These are protected by envelope closures that get rid of the need for bulky zips but can make getting things out a little finickity.
—Jessica MacDonald, Travel + Leisure, 22 Mar. 2024
Cut scallops into the top of a 3x5-inch envelope to make a cloud.
—Nicole Harris, Parents, 20 Mar. 2024
At the ceremony the night before, which Kimmel hosted for the fourth time, Cena took the stage seemingly nude, covering himself with a winner’s envelope to present the award for best costume design.
—Zoe G Phillips, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'envelope.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
circa 1714, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing envelope
Dictionary Entries Near envelope
Cite this Entry
“Envelope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/envelope. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
envelope
noun
ˈän-
Medical Definition
envelope
noun
ˈän-
William A. Haseltine et al., Scientific American
More from Merriam-Webster on envelope
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for envelope
Nglish: Translation of envelope for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of envelope for Arabic Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about envelope
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