sealed book: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Formal to neutral. Common in legal, technical, and bureaucratic contexts. Less common in casual conversation.
Quick answer
What does “sealed book” mean?
closed securely to prevent access or opening.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
closed securely to prevent access or opening; having been fastened with a seal.
Made inaccessible or confidential; permanently closed or finalized; rendered air or water tight.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. Both use the term identically in core meanings. Slight preference in US for 'hermetically sealed' in technical contexts.
Connotations
In both varieties, carries connotations of security, finality, and officialdom.
Frequency
Comparatively similar frequency. Slightly higher in British legal/parliamentary contexts ('sealed orders', 'sealed indictment').
Grammar
How to Use “sealed book” in a Sentence
to be sealed [with something]to have something sealedto keep something sealedVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sealed book” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The vicar sealed the tomb after the ceremony.
- They sealed the bargain with a handshake.
- The crack was sealed with silicone to stop the draught.
American English
- The judge sealed the court records.
- They sealed the deal over lunch.
- We sealed the windows before the hurricane hit.
adverb
British English
- The parcel was sealed tight.
- The jar was sealed shut for decades.
American English
- The envelope was sealed securely.
- The unit is sealed completely against dust.
adjective
British English
- It arrived in a sealed plastic pouch.
- The archaeological find was in a sealed chamber.
- The offer must be submitted as a sealed bid.
American English
- Keep the medicine in a sealed container.
- The documents remained in a sealed file for 50 years.
- The car has sealed beam headlights.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to confidential offers (sealed bids), finalized contracts (sealed agreement), or proprietary technology.
Academic
Used in legal/historical research (sealed archives), scientific contexts (sealed samples, controlled environments).
Everyday
Common for food packaging (sealed jar), envelopes, or windows/doors.
Technical
Precise engineering/construction term (sealed beam headlight, sealed bearing, sealed chamber).
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sealed book”
- Using 'sealed' for things that are just closed but not secured (e.g., 'The door was sealed' for a simply shut door).
- Misspelling as 'seiled' or 'cealed'.
- Incorrect preposition: 'sealed by wax' instead of 'sealed with wax'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Closed' is general. 'Sealed' implies an added layer of security, finality, or a method (wax, glue, official stamp) that makes reopening difficult or unauthorized.
Yes, commonly. E.g., 'sealed lips' (vow of silence), 'sealed fate' (inevitable outcome), 'sealed with a kiss' (affectionate closure on a letter).
It's used commercially (e.g., 'pre-sealed bags') but is technically redundant, as 'sealed' describes the result. 'Pre-sealed' emphasizes the state prior to sale/use.
A tender or offer submitted in a closed envelope, its contents hidden from competitors until a set time, to ensure a fair bidding process.
closed securely to prevent access or opening.
Sealed book is usually formal to neutral. common in legal, technical, and bureaucratic contexts. less common in casual conversation. in register.
Sealed book: in British English it is pronounced /siːld/, and in American English it is pronounced /siːld/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “sealed with a kiss”
- “my lips are sealed”
- “sealed fate”
- “sealed deal”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SEA LION with an important letter in its mouth, the envelope flap stuck down with WAX – it's SEAL-ed.
Conceptual Metaphor
SECRECY/SAFETY IS BEING SEALED (sealed lips, sealed records). FINALITY IS BEING SEALED (sealed verdict, sealed fate).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'sealed' LEAST likely to be used?