addressee

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "addressee" is correct and usable in written English.
An addressee is the person to whom an item is addressed. For example, "The letter was addressed to the addressee, Mrs. Smith."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

According to the GSP "a speaker communicates meanings which place (a) a high value on what relates to the other person (typically the addressee), and (b) a low value on what relates to the speaker".But plenty of so-called polite behaviour in real life is anything but.

The Economist

Much as Japanese contains alternative forms of address depending on the gender and social status of the speaker and the addressee, Comedic English employs a separate form of address for other comedians in which failure to include an act of intercourse or defecation in a sentence is considered a sign of linguistic incompetence and low social standing.

The Economist

By contrast, the categorical imperative "Don't murder children" cannot be begged off by the addressee explaining that he really enjoys murdering children, that he lacks any desires that will be satisfied if the imperative is obeyed; it is not a piece of advice at all.

SEP

The addressee of On benefits is called Liberalis, a name that drives home a point that Seneca wants to emphasize.

SEP

More important, these networks are composed of voluntary associations organized around shared interests and cannot stand as a surrogate for the political community per se, which acts as the addressee of claims made by the organisations and groups of civil society.

SEP

Making ironic statements, telling jokes, writing fiction, acting in a play, and so forth, without the intention that the addressee believe these untruthful statements to be true, is not lying (Morris 1976, 391).

SEP

According to the untruthfulness condition, it is sufficient for lying that the person who makes the untruthful statement intends that the addressee believe the untruthful statement to be true; it is not necessary that the addressee believe the untruthful statement to be true.

SEP

According to the addressee condition, lying requires that a person make an untruthful statement to another person (or, strictly speaking, to a believed other person, since one might, e.g., mistake a waxed dummy for another person, and lie to it).

SEP

The idea that the alternative to sincerity is the intention to make the addressee believe that the speaker believes what he asserts, is not general enough.

SEP

When the question is directed to someone else, Daubert contends, the act has to be uttered externally in order to give the addressee the possibility of apprehending the question.

SEP

This appears to be so because, if the addressee is emotionally touched by the expressed love, then he or she can respond to the social stance and can reciprocate the love of which she is the target.

SEP

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing formally, use "addressee" to clearly identify the intended receiver of a message or communication, ensuring clarity and precision.

Common error

Avoid confusing "addressee" with "addresser". The "addressee" is the recipient, while the "addresser" is the sender. Always double-check to ensure you're using the correct term to avoid ambiguity.

Linguistic Context

The noun "addressee" functions as a designation for the receiver of a communication. Ludwig confirms its usage across diverse texts, identifying the individual or entity intended to receive a message.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

20%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "addressee" is a grammatically correct noun used to denote the recipient of a message or communication. Ludwig confirms its common usage in diverse contexts, primarily formal and scientific. While alternatives like "recipient" or "receiver" exist, "addressee" offers a specific and precise identification of the intended receiver. Remember to differentiate "addressee" (the receiver) from "addresser" (the sender) to avoid confusion. Understanding the context and formality level ensures proper and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

recipient

Focuses on the act of receiving something, which could be tangible or intangible, not necessarily only a message.

intended recipient

Emphasizes the purposefulness of the sending action and the specific designation of the receiver.

receiver

A general term for someone who gets something, less formal than "addressee".

the person addressed

More descriptive and less concise, clarifying who the communication is directed to.

the target audience

Specifically refers to the group of people a message is designed for, often used in marketing or media contexts.

the individual addressed

Similar to "the person addressed" but stresses the singularity and distinctiveness of the recipient.

the designated recipient

Highlights the formality and intentionality behind choosing a specific receiver.

the party addressed

More formal and often used in legal or official settings.

the communication's target

Focuses on the message itself and its intended destination.

the one being addressed

A more verbose way to describe the recipient, emphasizing the act of addressing.

FAQs

How to use "addressee" in a sentence?

The word "addressee" refers to the person or organization to whom something is addressed. For example, "Ensure the "addressee's" name and address are clearly written on the envelope."

What can I say instead of "addressee"?

You can use alternatives like "recipient", "receiver", or "intended recipient" depending on the context.

What's the difference between "addressee" and "recipient"?

"Addressee" specifically refers to the person to whom a message or communication is directed, whereas "recipient" is a broader term for anyone who receives something, not necessarily a message.

Is "addressee" a formal word?

Yes, "addressee" is generally considered a formal word, often used in legal, business, and academic contexts where precision is important. In more casual contexts, "receiver" or "recipient" may be more appropriate.