missive

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "missive" is correct and usable in written English.
It is a noun used to mean a written message sent to someone, typically expressing important information. Example sentence: The foreign secretary received a missive from the ambassador warning of increased tensions in the region.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Go back to Pietersen's emotional missive on Wednesday and the charges of "deceit" are as much aimed at the new chief executive, Tom Harrison, who he says led him to believe the meeting with Strauss would not be bad news, as Graves.

The Guardian - Sport

"Most of you probably already know that transvestite creature Lady Gaga is about to release a music video," began one recent missive, purportedly circulated by Miley Cyrus fans, although perhaps created by a third fanbase wishing to discredit both Gaga and Cyrus in one fell swoop.

The Guardian - Music

Some business leaders wrote to the Telegraph urging a Yes vote while a group of 25 historians (mostly Tories, so far as I can tell) wrote to the Times urging a historic No. Being a technie-twit I can't find the Telegraph letter anywhere (the paper's own search engine asked if I meant "TV referendum"?) but here's a copy of the historians' missive.

The Guardian

I wasn't a student and I wasn't on strike, but one May weekend a group of communist women – we weren't yet feminists – sent off a missive congratulating the dancers for their militancy.

The Guardian

So what is the lowest aggregate league position of the two finalists?" And yet another comprehensive missive arrived in the Knowledge inbox this week concerning this puzzler.

The Guardian - Sport

Weinstein stayed in Pakistan, each video missive showing him more frail – even though he said in one video that al-Qaida was providing his medications.

The Guardian

On Monday, a spokeswoman, Moira Colley, relayed to the Guardian Newkirk's comment about Palin's new missive: "Zzzzz …" Palin, on the other hand, found meaning in her fiery politicization of some comments beneath a Facebook photo.

The Guardian

So, on one summer's day in July 2008, Charles was sat in Highgrove, his Gloucestershire home with its organic vegetable garden and organic farm, when he took out his famous black ink pen to send a missive to the health secretary in London.

The Guardian

"No capital is required to obtain this gold, as the labouring man wants nothing but his pick, shovel and tin pan," wrote William Sherman, later a civil-war general, in a missive to President James Polk in 1848.

The Economist

"We do not understand how your board's unwillingness to discuss our proposal can serve the best interests of Avon's shareholders," Mr Becht said in his missive to Ms Jung.Coty has been on an acquisition spree in the last couple of years.

The Economist

Mr Krauss reckons his missive helped to nudge the Catholic authorities into clarifying their view and insisting that they did still accept natural selection as a scientific theory.But that was not the end of the story.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "missive" in formal contexts where a sense of importance or officialdom is intended. It's more impactful than a simple "letter" or "note".

Common error

Avoid using "missive" in casual or informal settings, as it can sound overly pretentious or archaic. Opt for simpler alternatives like "message" or "note" when communicating with friends or family.

Linguistic Context

The word "missive" functions primarily as a noun, referring to a written communication, often of a formal or official nature. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Formal & Business

30%

Encyclopedias

15%

Less common in

Science

5%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "missive" is a grammatically correct and frequently used noun that denotes a formal or official written message. According to Ludwig AI, the word is valid and useful in English writing. It appears most often in news and media, formal business contexts, and encyclopedias. While it is more formal than a simple "letter", it should be used judiciously, avoiding overuse in casual settings. Alternatives include "formal letter" or "official correspondence". Understanding its appropriate context ensures clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

written communication

Focuses on the act of conveying information in written form, broader than a single message.

formal letter

Highlights the formality and structure of the written message.

official correspondence

Emphasizes the official or business-related nature of the communication.

written note

Suggests a brief and informal written message.

formal dispatch

Conveys a sense of urgency and officialdom in the message delivery.

communication in writing

Highlights the act of transmitting ideas through written words rather than spoken.

recorded message

Focuses on the message being preserved or documented.

formal announcement

Emphasizes the act of publicly declaring information in a written format.

express letter

Highlights the swift delivery of a written communication.

official bulletin

Pertains to a formal report or statement released to a specific audience.

FAQs

What does "missive" mean?

A "missive" is a formal or official written message, like a letter or dispatch. It suggests a degree of importance or authority.

How can I use "missive" in a sentence?

You might say, "The CEO sent a strongly worded missive to the board of directors" or "The ambassador received a diplomatic missive from the foreign minister".

What can I say instead of "missive"?

You can use alternatives like "formal letter", "official correspondence", or "written communication" depending on the context.

Is "missive" a common word in everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "missive" is not frequently used in everyday speech. It's more common in formal writing or historical contexts.