envelope

Everyday

1. An envelope is a flat paper cover in which you put a letter or card before posting it. tree →
2. An envelope can be any covering that wraps something, like the layer of gases around a planet. tree →
3. To envelop something is to wrap it or surround it completely. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life, children address envelopes for birthday cards and letters with the name, street, town and postcode, and a stamp in the top right corner. In maths, you can work out sums «on the back of an envelope» (quick rough working). Phrases: «seal an envelope», «address an envelope», «brown envelope», «push the envelope» (= try new, bolder things).

Examples

• Put the letter in the envelope and lick the flap. tree →
• Write the address clearly on the envelope. tree →
• Stick the stamp in the top right corner of the envelope. tree →
• She opened the envelope and found a birthday card. tree →
• The winner's name was in a sealed envelope. tree →
• We did a quick sum on the back of an envelope. tree →
• The pilot liked to push the envelope. tree →
• The Dryad saw herself enveloped in lace and silk, like the women of wealth and of high birth around her. tree →

Note

Pronounced «EN-vuh-lohp» or «ON-vuh-lohp». Do not confuse with the verb «envelop» (no «e» at the end, «en-VEL-up»), which means to wrap or surround completely. Countable.

In Jewish tradition

In everyday life, children address envelopes for birthday cards and letters with the name, street, town and postcode, and a stamp in the top right corner. In maths, you can work out sums «on the back of an envelope» (quick rough working). Phrases: «seal an envelope», «address an envelope», «brown envelope», «push the envelope» (= try new, bolder things).

Note

Pronounced «EN-vuh-lohp» or «ON-vuh-lohp». Do not confuse with the verb «envelop» (no «e» at the end, «en-VEL-up»), which means to wrap or surround completely. Countable.