open letter

American  

noun

1. a letter, often of protest or criticism, addressed to a specific person, but intended to be brought to public attention.

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open letter British  

noun

1. a letter, esp one of protest, addressed to a person but also made public, as through the press

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Other Word Forms

• open-letter
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of open letter

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

More than 4,000 filmmakers, actors and industry workers, including Bryan Cranston, Connie Britton, Kristen Stewart, Jonathan Glazer and Jane Fonda, have signed an open letter asking California Atty.

From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2026

In February, Botstein released an open letter on campus, saying his interactions with Epstein were strictly for the purpose of fundraising.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 2, 2026

"I am deeply sorry that we did not alert law enforcement," Altman wrote in an open letter published by local news outlet Tumbler RidgeLines.

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2026

Abrams and Kristen Stewart have signed an open letter asking California Atty.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 23, 2026

I sent out members to mingle with crowds and try to discourage any further violence and sent an open letter to all the press denouncing them for "distorting" and inflating minor incidents.

From "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison