epistolary

American  

[ih-pis-tl-er-ee] / ɪˈpɪs tlˌɛr i /

adjective

1. contained in or carried on by letters.

   an epistolary friendship.

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

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epistolary British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• unepistolary adjective

Etymology

Origin of epistolary

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

She told the audience she initially doubted it would break out because “epistolary novels usually don’t work.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Updike was falsely modest when he apologized to correspondents for his lack of epistolary talent.

From The Wall Street Journal

In last year’s Bob Dylan biopic, “A Complete Unknown,” Dylan and Johnny Cash appear together on screen just twice, after a long epistolary bromance.

From The Wall Street Journal

Despite this epistolary “mind control,” Roberts soldiered on, landing his first TV gig in 1977 on the soap opera “Another World.”

From Los Angeles Times

Cyrano’s verbal coaching and epistolary interventions provide a means for him to express all that is locked away in his heart.

From Los Angeles Times