Correspondence is a noun with several related meanings. It can mean a matching or agreement between things, a proportionalhaving a size or amount that changes in a regular ratio relation, or communicationsharing information or sending messages between people by letters and messages. In everyday English, it is most often used for letter writing or officialconnected with authority, government, or an organization communication.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /kawr-ih-SPON-duhns/
Easy pronunciation: kawr-ih-SPON-duhns (approximate spelling).
Stress: Primary stress on the third syllable: SPON.
Use this pronunciation for the noun meaning communication by the exchange of letters or messages.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Correspondence Meaning
letters, emails, or messages sent between people or organizations
Part of speech: noun
Definition: communication by the exchange of letters or messages
Example: We kept up a long correspondence while she was studying abroad.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Correspondence
Meaning 2
the state of matching or agreeing with each other
Part of speech: noun
Definition: compatibility of observations
Example: The lab found a close correspondence between the two sets of results.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- agreement — Works when the sense is about observations matching.
Meaning 3
a clear likeness or matching relationship
Part of speech: noun
Definition: similarity by virtue of corresponding
Example: There is a strong correspondence between the two stories.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- parallelism — Can fit when two things run closely alongside each other in form or structure.
Meaning 4
a proportional relationship between two things
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the relation of corresponding in degree or size or amount
Example: The chart shows a correspondence between income and spending.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- commensurateness — Matches the idea of being equal in proportion or amount.
- proportionateness — Fits when one thing is in proper proportion to another.
Meaning 5
balanced matching on both sides of a line or plane
Part of speech: noun
Definition: (mathematics) an attribute of a shape or relation; exact reflection of form on opposite sides of a dividing line or plane
Example: The figure has correspondence across the center line.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- balance — Used in a geometric sense, though less exact than the technical term.
- symmetricalness — Directly matches the idea of symmetry.
- symmetry — The standard term for exact matching on opposite sides.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Correspondence Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- symmetry
- agreement
matching or agreement between things
- agreement
similarity or parallel relationship
- parallelism
proportional relation
- commensurateness
- proportionateness
mathematical symmetry
- balance
- symmetricalness
- symmetry
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- Do not confuse correspondence meaning 'letters or messages' with correspondence meaning 'agreement' or 'similarity.'
- In math, correspondence here refers to symmetry or matching form, not everyday communication.
- Not every word related to matching is a true synonym in every sense.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does correspondence mean in English?
It can mean communication by letters or messages, or it can mean a match, agreement, or proportional relationship between things.
What is the most common meaning of correspondence?
The most common everyday meaning is communication by letters, emails, or messages.
What are good synonyms for correspondence?
For the letter-writing sense, there are few direct synonyms. For other senses, good synonyms include symmetry, agreement, and parallelism, depending on the meaning.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-24. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.