respondence: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowFormal, Archaic
Quick answer
What does “respondence” mean?
The action or fact of responding or replying.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The action or fact of responding or replying; correspondence.
A relationship or connection between two things, especially where one thing reacts to or mirrors another.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Equally rare and archaic in both varieties. No significant difference in usage.
Connotations
Literary, historical, or deliberately formal.
Frequency
Virtually never used in contemporary speech or writing. Found primarily in historical texts.
Grammar
How to Use “respondence” in a Sentence
in respondence to [noun phrase]a respondence between [X] and [Y]by/through respondence with [entity]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used in modern business communication.
Academic
Only in historical linguistics or analysis of older texts.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Not used in modern technical fields.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “respondence”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “respondence”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “respondence”
- Using it in modern contexts.
- Misspelling as 'respon*d*a*nce*' or 'respon*se*nce'.
- Confusing it with the much more common 'response'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is archaic and not used in contemporary English. It is found in historical documents and literature.
Historically, 'respondence' meant specifically 'an answer or reply,' while 'correspondence' meant a more general 'harmonious connection' or 'exchange of letters.' In modern usage, 'correspondence' has absorbed both meanings, making 'respondence' obsolete.
No, unless you are deliberately aiming for an archaic, formal, or historical style. For all modern purposes, use 'response,' 'reply,' or 'correspondence.'
No. The related verb is 'to respond.' The form 'respondence' is only a noun.
The action or fact of responding or replying.
Respondence is usually formal, archaic in register.
Respondence: in British English it is pronounced /rɪˈspɒndəns/, and in American English it is pronounced /rɪˈspɑːndəns/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “In due respondence (archaic for 'in due course')”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A RESPONDent gives a RESPONDENCE. Both start with 'respond'.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNICATION IS AN EXCHANGE OF GOODS (an archaic metaphor where a reply is a thing sent back).
Practice
Quiz
Which word has most completely replaced 'respondence' in modern English?