How to pronounce

envelope

American Pronunciation: /ˈɛnvəˌloʊp/
- Breakdown: EN-vuh-lope
British Pronunciation: /ˈɒnvələʊp/
- Breakdown: ON-vuh-lope

In American English, the first syllable is stressed with a short "e" sound, while in British English, the stress is similar, but with a short "o" sound, reflecting a different vowel quality.

Definition of

envelope

Form: Noun Definition: A flat, usually rectangular, paper container used for storing or sending documents or letters. Examples: 1. I put the letter in the envelope and sealed it. 2. The important documents were securely kept in a brown envelope. 3. The government sent out thousands of envelopes to gather citizen feedback. 4. I received an elegant invitation with a gold-lined envelope. 5. The post office sells a variety of different sized envelopes.

What does it mean

envelope

The word "envelope" comes from the French word "envelopper," meaning "to wrap, cover, or enclose," which is based on the Old French word "envoluper." The prefix "en-" means "make" or "put in," and "voluper" means "to wrap up." The term entered the English language in the early 18th century. The development of the modern envelope as known today was greatly influenced by the industrial revolution, which allowed for mass production and standardization, making them an integral part of the postal system.