missive

noun

mis·​sive ˈmi-siv How to pronounce missive (audio)
: a written communication : letter
wrote a lengthy missive to her father

Examples of missive in a Sentence

She received yet another lengthy missive from her father. the two old friends like to fire off missives filled with good-natured teasing and mock insults
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Each letter comes across as a set piece, a small achievement of style and tone: Vasari’s flowery, deferential missives to the duke, Maria’s youthful ardor and confusion, the overly pious cattiness of a nun. Chelsea Leu, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025 The commander of the Israel Air Force, Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar, criticized the letter in his own missive published Friday. Tamar Michaelis, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2025 Written in sparse, staggeringly candid English, Kwiatkowski’s missives take after both the band’s lyrics and Constantine’s translations of his own poetry. Hannah Edgar, Chicago Tribune, 19 Feb. 2025 Scott Kelly, who skyrocketed to fame as a test pilot - first of jet fighters and then of the Space Shuttle - teamed up with two dozen other astronauts to send a missive to the leaders of the Senate space committee reviewing Isaacman’s anointment by the White House to head NASA. Kevin Holden Platt, Forbes.com, 12 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for missive

Word History

Etymology

Middle French lettre missive, literally, letter intended to be sent

First Known Use

circa 1553, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of missive was circa 1553

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Cite this Entry

“Missive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/missive. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

missive

noun
mis·​sive ˈmis-iv How to pronounce missive (audio)

More from Merriam-Webster on missive

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