cover letter

American  

[kuhv-er let-er] / ˈkʌv ər ˈlɛt ər /

noun

• cover letters
  plural

1. a letter that accompanies another letter, a package, or the like, to explain, commend, etc.

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• cover letters
  plural

Etymology

Origin of cover letter

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cover letter

The cycle of heartbreak is familiar to job seekers everywhere: They see an ad for a role with great pay and potential, spend time customizing a cover letter and resume, hit submit, and then…nothing.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026

"Your degree apprenticeship... you've got a cover letter, a CV. It's like applying for a real job. You've really got to convey your passion for that specific company."

From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026

When he sees AI’s influence on a cover letter, it’s not an instant red flag.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 15, 2026

“For high-level roles, for roles in C-suites, in executive leadership teams — if you are cold applying, a cover letter is a nice way to introduce yourself,” Fell said.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 15, 2026

She reads Dimitri’s resume again, then the cover letter.

From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri