Synonyms and antonyms of Expressions used in letters and correspondence in British Thesaurus

Dear (adjective)

used in front of someone’s name at the beginning of a letter to them

postscript (noun)

a message that you write at the end of a letter or email, usually below the place where you sign your name

love (noun)

used at the end of a letter to someone you know well

herewith (adverb)

very formal with this letter, statement, document, or contract. This word is often used in official and legal documents.

dearest (adjective)

old-fashioned used in front of the name of someone you love at the beginning of a letter to them

Yours ()

used at the end of a formal letter before your name

Yours sincerely ()

used before your name as a way of ending a formal letter

best wishes ()

used as a friendly way of ending a letter to someone you know who is not a very close friend

Dear Sir ()

used for beginning a letter to a man whose name you do not know

care of ()

used when saying where you can send someone’s letters while they are not at home. You write the abbreviation c/o on the envelope, before the address

Dear Madam ()

used at the beginning of a business letter to a woman whose name you do not know

Dear Sir/Sirs/Madam ()

used at the beginning of a very formal letter, for example to a company or to someone you have never met

for the attention of someone ()

used on a business letter to show that you intend it for a particular person

for your eyes only ()

used for saying that only one person is allowed to see a document, letter etc

further to ()

used especially in letters to show that you are referring to a previous letter or conversation

(kind/best) regards ()

used for ending a letter or email in a friendly but slightly formal way

please find enclosed ()

used for saying that you have sent something with a letter

to whom it may concern ()

used for beginning a very formal letter that is not written to a particular person

under separate cover ()

used in a letter for saying that something will be sent separately

(with) best wishes ()

a friendly and polite way of ending a letter or email

with reference to ()

used in a letter to introduce the subject that you are going to write about

your humble servant ()

used at the end of a letter in the past by someone who was writing to a more important person

your obedient servant ()

used in the past as a way of ending a formal letter

Yours faithfully ()

used at the end of a formal letter when you begin it with ‘Dear Sir’ or ‘Dear Madam’. When you begin a letter with someone’s name, for example ‘Dear Mrs Smith’, you end it with ‘Yours sincerely’.