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Should We Say Envelop Or Envelope? When Do We Use Each One?

Should We Say Envelop Or Envelope? When Do We Use Each One?

When it comes to the use of homophones, a lot of people get confused and make mistakes by misusing one word for another. You are probably wondering, should we say “Envelop” or “Envelope”? And when do we use each one when writing?

The word “envelop” is a verb and it means to wrap something or cover something completely. e.g., She felt her brother envelop her in a hug. The word “envelope” refers to a flat paper covering used to hold documents, letters. e.g., Don’t forget to put the letter in the envelope before sending it.

Because these words have lots of differences and various usage, you must have a good understanding of them to avoid errors in the future. All differences, similarities, and usage will be explained in detail in this article.

envelopes wide banner like graphic art

When and How to use “Envelop” in a sentence

We will start with how and when to use the word “envelop” in a sentence. Before that, it is of utmost importance that we look into the origin, meaning, synonyms, antonyms, and, nature of the word for more understanding. Using a word accurately in a sentence starts with having a complete understanding of the word, which is its meaning, nature, synonyms, antonyms, and origin.

So, when we talk about the origin, nature, synonyms, antonyms, and meaning of a word, what are we referring to? It is not difficult. We will explain it in detail for ease of understanding.

The origin of a word is the genesis of that word, where the word was coined out from. Learning the origin of a word is taking a stroll back to the old days before the establishment of Modern English. The nature of a word refers to the part of speech that the word falls under.

When it comes to the meaning of a word, we are referring to the idea conveyed by the word when used in a sentence. When a reader reads the word in a sentence, what he infers from that word is what we refer to as the meaning of the word.

The synonyms of a word on the other hand refer to other words with a similar meaning with the word in focus and the antonyms are words with an opposite meaning to the word in focus.

Now that you have a complete understanding of the origin, the synonyms, the antonyms, the meaning, and the nature of a word, let us learn the meaning, origin, synonyms, antonyms, and nature, of the word “envelop.”

The word “envelop” originates from a Middle English word “envolupen” from an Old French word “anveloper” or “envoluper” (envelopper in modern French), from “en- + voloper” (the origin of this word is uncertain), which is also from “goluppare” an Old Italian word. Goluppare is from the Proto-Germanic word “wlappaną”, also gotten from “werb-,” a Proto-Indo-European word.

The word “envelop,” means to wrap up in, to cover, to surround completely, to enclose, and to enfold completely with a covering. It can also mean to mount an attack on as well as to serve as a covering or wrapping. The word “envelop” is also used symbolically to make a description of something or someone that completely occupies your mind.

With regards to the nature of the word “envelop,” it can act as only a verb in a sentence, meaning it depicts action in a sentence.

Some of the synonyms of “envelop” as a verb include surround, enfold, hedge, enwrap, cocoon, encage, encase, enclose, shroud, confine, engulf, obscure, swaddle, swathe, conceal, and encompass. While the antonyms of the word “envelop” are exposed, reveal, develop, exclude, extract, open, unwrap, uncover, let go, and lay bare.

Here are some examples explaining the use of the word “envelop”

  1. The warmth from him seemed to envelop her as he hugged, like the comforting heat of the morning sun.
  2. By building a swallowing web, the spider was able to completely envelop the fly, thereby securing its dinner.
  3. The firefighters were alerted by concerned neighbors who heard the smoke alarm as soon as the house was enveloped in smoke.
  4. The colloidal material is utilized to envelop the circuit board unit and the part of the conducting wire holder.
  5. The rioting citizens roamed the streets in crowded buses and trucks, they seemed to have enveloped everything.

envelope word in dictionary

When and How to use “Envelope” correctly

Now that we have fully comprehended the appropriate use of the word “envelop”, it is time we move into the correct use of the word “envelope.” Just like before we will dive into the meaning, origin, nature, synonym, and antonym of the word “envelope”. It is easier for you to know how to use words correctly when you have a proper understanding.

When talking about the meaning of a word, it usually means the purpose of a word, its significance, how the word is meant to be or expressed. So, when a reader reads the meaning of a word, he gains more knowledge on how to use that word.

The origin of a word usually refers to the history of the word. Where it is derived from and how it became a word everyone uses. Usually, when looking into the origin of a word, we have to go back in time depending on when the word was first used.

The synonym of a word refers to other words that possess a similar meaning to the word in question. While the antonyms are other words opposite in meaning to the word in question.

Now that we are clear on what the origin, meaning, synonyms, and antonyms means, let us learn the properties of the word “envelope”.

So, what is the origin of and the meaning of the word “Envelope”?

The word “envelope” originates from the French word “enveloppe” in the mid-16th century, later called “envelopper.”

The word “envelope” is known to mean different things in different terms. The most common meaning of “envelope” is a flat, usually rectangular or square, a paper container used to enclose small flat items especially letters and documents, and possesses a sealable flap. In geometry or mathematics, “envelope” means a curve or surface tangent. According to medical terminologies, an “envelope” is referred to as a membrane that forms the outer layer of certain types of viruses.

Regarding the nature of the word “envelope”, it is a noun and can only act like a noun in a sentence unlike “envelop” which acts as a verb in a sentence.

There are lots of words similar in meaning to the word “envelope”, some of them include wrapper, covering, casing, sheath, mailer, container, pouch, jacket, and case. The antonyms of “envelope” include unwrap, untie, loose, uncover, and open.

To get a clearer understanding of the use of the word “envelope”, below are some examples.

  1. I told my sister to remind my father that he should not forget to put a stamp on the envelope before sending the letter to my aunt.
  2. Every candidate that wrote the examinations was told to be on the lookout for an envelope with the board’s stamp in regards to their results.
  3. All the photographs taken at the events were enclosed in an envelope to be distributed to those who requested them only after payment has been made.
  4. In geometry, an envelope of a planar family of curves is a curve that is tangent to each member of the family at some point.
  5. The doctors found out that an envelope surrounded the virus in his system which made treatment difficult, hence he had to undergo surgery.
  6. Peter caught Elizabeth red-handed trying to open the envelope addressed to him from the local government office.
  7. You have to put a return address stamp on the envelope if you want a reply to your letter mailed to the house.

Understanding the Difference Between Both Words

So far we have explained the two words “envelop” and “envelope”, how and when to use them, their meaning and origin, the nature of both words, and their synonyms and antonyms. With this clarity and understanding, it is easier for you to know the right word to use depending on the information you are trying to pass across.

However, it is also of utmost importance that we discuss the difference between both words. “Envelop” is a verb and can only function as a verb. It majorly refers to be surrounded, enclosed, or covered completely. While “envelope” is a noun that refers to a piece of mostly paper or cardboard used to enclose papers, small flat objects, and other types of documents.

air mail envelopes

Final Thoughts

Although both words are similar in spelling which has brought confusion in most cases, all clarification and understandings have been provided. There is a little meaning of both words that might seem similar, however, we cannot use them interchangeably.

With an adequate understanding of each word’s origin, meaning, nature, synonyms, and antonyms, you now know when to use which word correctly in a sentence. All you need to do is read up and get knowledge.