open letter

noun

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

open letter

noun

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

Other Word Forms

• open-letter adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of open letter¹

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

"We urge you to take immediate action to end the UK's complicity in the horrors in Gaza," they said via an open letter, organised by the refugee charity Choose Love.

From BBC

Movie, TV and stage stars, along with comedians, directors and writers, signed an open letter from the American Civil Liberties Union, urging Americans to fight to defend their constitutionally protected right to free speech.

From Los Angeles Times

The group recently sent an open letter to the prime minister asking him to take "urgent" action to fix the "broken" scheme.

From BBC

He was unsigned in April 2013 when he came out as gay in an open letter published in Sports Illustrated.

From Los Angeles Times

The confrontation came just a day after more than 1,000 CDC and HHS employees signed an open letter calling for Kennedy’s resignation.

From Salon