Neutral to formal (as a noun system), informal to neutral (as a verb). Highly common in all registers.
Definition
Meaning
A system for sending and receiving messages and data electronically over a computer network, primarily the internet.
An individual electronic message sent via this system; the action of sending such a message; also used as a verb meaning 'to send an email'.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a mass noun when referring to the system or medium ('I use email'). A countable noun when referring to individual messages ('I have three emails'). Verb usage is extremely common and accepted. The term often implicitly assumes an internet connection.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
UK English historically used and sometimes still uses the hyphenated form 'e-mail'. US English overwhelmingly uses 'email'. Both forms are understood everywhere, but 'email' is now the global standard, especially for the verb.
Connotations
Identical. The term has lost any connotation of novelty and is purely utilitarian.
Frequency
Both 'email' and 'e-mail' are used in the UK, with 'email' becoming dominant in digital contexts. In the US, 'email' is almost universal in published writing and speech.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
email sbemail sb sth / email sth to sbemail about sthemail that...email to do sthVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “cc/bcc someone (on an email)”
- “email blast”
- “email trail/chain”
- “shoot someone an email”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The primary formal communication channel for internal and external correspondence, contracts, and announcements.
Academic
Used for student-teacher communication, submitting assignments, and scholarly correspondence.
Everyday
The standard way to communicate with friends, family, and for personal administration (bills, shopping).
Technical
Refers to protocols (SMTP, POP3, IMAP), headers, servers, and security (encryption, phishing).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- I'll email you the details tomorrow.
- Have you emailed the team about the change?
- She emailed to confirm her attendance.
American English
- Email me when you land.
- He emailed the document to the lawyer.
- We should email the client for an update.
adverb
British English
- The report was sent email.
- They communicated almost exclusively email.
American English
- The confirmation will come email.
- We correspond mostly email now.
adjective
British English
- Please provide an email address.
- The email notification arrived late.
- We have an email correspondence.
American English
- Check your email inbox.
- Set up an email filter for that.
- It was an email campaign.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I get a lot of email every day.
- What is your email address?
- My sister sent me an email with photos.
- You should email the professor to ask about the deadline.
- I accidentally deleted an important email.
- Our primary method of contact is email.
- The email server was down for several hours, disrupting communication.
- He's notorious for sending terse, one-word emails.
- Please forward the email chain to the new project manager.
- The tone of his email was construed as dismissive, leading to a diplomatic incident.
- Automated email marketing relies on sophisticated segmentation of subscriber lists.
- A careful audit of email metadata revealed the source of the leak.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'E' as 'Electronic' and 'MAIL' as the traditional postal system. It's simply the electronic version of the mail you used to get in a physical box.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNICATION IS A PATH/JOURNEY (send/receive/forward email); INFORMATION IS A PHYSICAL OBJECT (attach a file, email is in your inbox).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'имейл' in formal writing; use 'электронная почта'. 'Письмо' can be ambiguous (email vs. physical letter); specify 'электронное письмо'.
- The verb 'to email' is highly productive; do not try to say 'send an email' every time. Use 'написать (кому-то) на почту' or the accepted verb 'имейлить' in very informal contexts.
Common Mistakes
- Using an indefinite article with uncountable 'email' (e.g., 'I use an email' -> 'I use email').
- Incorrect verb pattern: 'I emailed to him' -> 'I emailed him'.
- Misspelling as 'e-mail' in contexts where 'email' is the house style (and vice versa).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'email' correctly as a verb?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, absolutely. Using 'email' as a verb (e.g., 'I'll email you') is standard, accepted English in both formal and informal contexts and is more concise than 'send an email'.
In modern usage, 'mail' often refers specifically to physical postal mail (snail mail). 'Email' is exclusively electronic. In a digital context, 'mail' can sometimes mean 'email' (e.g., 'mail server', 'check your mail'), but it's clearer to use 'email'.
The unhyphenated form 'email' is now the dominant and recommended spelling globally, especially in technical and business writing. 'E-mail' is an older form that is still understood but increasingly rare.
Yes. When referring to multiple individual electronic messages, the countable plural 'emails' is correct and common (e.g., 'I have 50 unread emails').
Collections
Part of a collection
Technology Basics
A2 · 48 words · Everyday technology and digital devices.