DictionaryAI

epistolary

USi-PIS-tuh-lair-ee/ɪˈpɪstəˌlɛɹi/UKi-PIS-tuh-luh-ree/ɪˈpɪst(ə)ˌl(ə)ɹi/

3 meanings of epistolary

Practice

  1. 1
    letter formadjective
    Written in the form of letters.

    The book is an epistolary novel made of letters between two sisters.

    She wrote the story in an epistolary style, as a set of emails.

    UsageOften an epistolary novel: a story told in letters.

    Note
  2. 2
    letter writingadjective
    About letters or writing letters, or done by sending letters to each other.

    Grandma kept up her epistolary habits long after everyone else switched to email.

    Their epistolary friendship lasted fifty years.

    UsageA word for careful writing more than for everyday talk.

    Note

Less common meaning

  1. 3
    noun
    A church book with the parts of the Bible's letters that are read aloud at services.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of epistolary apart? Answer 2 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

From a Latin word linked to epistola, "letter". It was first used in the 1620s.

Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts