form letter

American  

noun

1. a standardized letter that can be sent to any number of persons, occasionally personalized by inserting the name of each recipient in the salutation.

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form letter British  

noun

1. a single copy of a letter that has been mechanically reproduced in large numbers for circulation

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Etymology

Origin of form letter

An Americanism dating back to 1905–10

Example Sentences

Sylvia confirmed she had received a written apology, which she she described as "like a form letter" but had not seen an action plan the trust had been told to provide.

From BBC

The trail of smoke seemed to form letters in the air that disappeared before they could be read.

From Literature

Lin ruled that the NIH grants were suspended by form letters that were unspecific to the research, a likely violation of the Administrative Procedure Act, which regulates executive branch rulemaking.

From Los Angeles Times

They also argued their funding was removed through the use of generic form letters with no explanation.

From Los Angeles Times

They grabbed pan dulce and coffee, fact sheets and a form letter arguing in favor of Carrillo’s proposed legislation, and vented about what they claimed was decades of political neglect.

From Los Angeles Times