epistolary

[ ih-pis-tl-er-ee ]

adjective

1. contained in or carried on by letters:

   an epistolary friendship.

2. of, relating to, or consisting of letters.

epistolary

/ ɪˈpɪstələrɪ /

adjective

1. relating to, denoting, conducted by, or contained in letters
2. (of a novel or other work) constructed in the form of a series of letters

Other Words From

• une·pisto·lary adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of epistolary¹

First recorded in 1620–30; from Late Latin epistolārius, from Latin epistolāris “of, belonging to a letter; pertaining to letter writing”; epistle, -ar ¹

Example Sentences

The two struck up an epistolary romance and were married in 1969.

From Washington Post

It reads like a fully realized epistolary novel, by turns exasperating and poignant and always funny.

From The Daily Beast

Epistolary novels often function best as exercises in pacing.

From The Daily Beast

The Antagonist By Lynn Coady An intelligent and witty epistolary investigation of destiny and loyalty.

From The Daily Beast

From a modern epistolary adventure to a portrait of gentrifying Tribeca.

From The Daily Beast

Chatwin's tone throughout Under the Sun  recalls the Duchess of Devonshire's epistolary adieu, "In tearing haste—."

From The Daily Beast

Alexander Pope died: the celebrated English poet and epistolary writer.

From Project Gutenberg

No accomplishment within the scope of human knowledge is so beautiful in all its features as that of epistolary correspondence.

From Project Gutenberg

Society and study and hardly a moment be ever found for Epistolary Commerce.

From Project Gutenberg

Franchomme, too, granted me the privilege of copying his friend's epistolary communications.

From Project Gutenberg

Epistolary forms and fashions have had their mutations like all other human things.

From Project Gutenberg