cover letter

American

[kuhv-er let-er] / ˈkʌv ər ˈlɛt ər /

noun

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

Etymology

Origin of cover letter

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

That starts with how you present yourself on your résumé and cover letter while going up against candidates who have outsourced the creation of those materials to AI.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 11, 2026

In a cover letter from the American teacher, dated three days after the disaster, she wrote: "Please convey to your children's parents our heartfelt feelings of compassion."

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

If so, get a haircut and your cover letter ready.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 14, 2026

In a cover letter to the appeals court, Department of Justice attorney Daniel Winik did not suggest the VA was dropping the appeal, but described the report as an update, “informed by the executive order.”

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 11, 2025

Inside she finds a cover letter and a resume.

From "The Namesake" by Jhumpa Lahiri

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023