What is mail? Pronunciation and usage in English

mail means . Learn how to pronounce and use mail through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of mail

mailnoun

/meɪl/
Definition & pronunciation of mail

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "mail." It's a tricky one because it's often mispronounced! Here’s the breakdown:

The Correct Pronunciation:

  • Typically: /ˈmeɪl/ (rhymes with "sale," "rail," or "tail")
    • Sounds: "May-l"
    • Emphasis: The stress is on the first syllable ("May").

Why it's tricky and common mistakes:

  • Many people say "mail" as "maze." This is a very common mistake! "Maze" sounds like /ˈmeɪz/.
  • The "ai" sound is tempting: You might instinctively try to pronounce it like "my-l," but that's not quite right.

Tips to help you:

  1. Think of other words that rhyme with “may”: “Sale,” “rail,” “tail,” “pale.” That will give you the correct first syllable.

  2. Focus on the first syllable: Really emphasize "May" when you say it.

  3. Listen to examples: The best way to learn is to hear it! Here are some places you can hear native speakers pronounce it:

    • Google: Just search "how to pronounce mail" on Google, and you’ll find audio examples.
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/mail/ (This website has pronunciations by native speakers from different regions.)

Do you want me to:

  • Record myself saying "mail"?
  • Give you more examples of words that rhyme with "mail"?

Usage and examples with the word mail in English

Let's break down how to use the word "mail" in English. It has several different meanings and uses! Here's a categorized breakdown:

1. Postal Service / Delivering Letters & Packages:

  • This is the most common usage. "Mail" refers to the system of delivering letters and packages.
    • "I need to drop this letter in the mail."
    • "The mail carrier delivers packages every day."
    • "Check your mail for important updates."
    • "I’m waiting for the mail."

2. The Act of Sending:

  • "Mail" can also refer to the action of sending something through the postal service.
    • "I'm going to mail this package tomorrow."
    • "Please mail the application back by Friday."

3. Email (Slang/Informal):

  • In more casual conversation, “mail” is sometimes used to refer to email. This is becoming more common, especially among younger generations.
    • "Can you mail me the report?" (meaning "Can you send it to my email?")
    • "I just got an email – let me mail it to you."

4. Formal Use (Less Common Now):

  • Historically, “mail” referred to a type of armor – chainmail or mail armor. You'll rarely see this usage today in everyday language.

5. Figurative Usage (Less Common):

  • Occasionally, "mail" can be used figuratively to describe a steady stream of information or correspondence. (This is quite rare).
    • “He received a huge mail of complaints after the product launch.” (Meaning a large volume of complaints).

Here's a table summarizing the different uses:

Meaning Example Context
Postal Service “Let’s check the mail.” Everyday conversation
Sending Items “I’ll mail you the details.” Instructions or requests
Email (Slang) “Can you mail me the link?” Informal conversation
Armor (Historical) “The knight wore mail.” Historical texts
Figurative (Rare) “The company got a mail of criticism.” Literary/formal writing

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more targeted information, could you tell me:

  • Why are you asking about "mail"? (e.g., are you trying to use it in a specific sentence, or are you just studying it?)

Synonyms for the word mail

Practice with vocabulary mail

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The university registrar will ______ the official transcripts by the end of the week.
  2. Please remember to check your physical ______ box daily for important documents.
  3. Our department relies heavily on digital platforms to ______ efficiently with remote teams.
  4. The overnight ______ service guarantees delivery of sensitive documents by 9 AM the next day.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (There may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. Which of the following can typically be sent via the postal service? a) an email b) a letter c) a package d) a text message

  2. To send a physical document through the postal service, you would typically ______ it. a) email b) mail c) text d) broadcast

  3. For immediate, informal communication between colleagues, which method is often preferred? a) an official letter b) an internal memo c) a quick chat d) an instant message

  4. Which of these terms refers to the system for transporting letters and packages? a) cargo b) delivery c) mail d) freight

  5. When preparing a presentation for a large audience, which tool is most appropriate for visual aids? a) a spreadsheet b) presentation software c) a word processor d) an email client

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The company will dispatch the annual reports to all shareholders next month. (Rewrite using "mail")
  2. Please put the completed application forms in the outgoing post. (Rewrite using "mail" or a related form)
  3. We communicated the urgent update to all team members via the internal communication system. (Rewrite without using "mail")

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. mail
  2. mail
  3. communicate
  4. courier

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. b) a letter, c) a package
  2. b) mail
  3. c) a quick chat, d) an instant message
  4. c) mail
  5. b) presentation software

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The company will mail the annual reports to all shareholders next month.
  2. Please place the completed application forms in the outgoing mail.
  3. We disseminated the urgent update to all team members via the internal communication system.

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