Epistle Meaning in English

word

US

UK

Definition

An epistle is a formal or elegant letter, especially one written in ancient times or as part of the Christian Bible.

Usage & Nuances

"Epistle" is formal and often historical or religious. Commonly refers to New Testament letters (e.g., "Paul's epistles"). Rare in everyday speech; 'letter' is standard for general use.

• Spanish: epístola - carta (formal) - epístola (bíblica)
• Portuguese (BR): epístola - carta (formal) - epístola (bíblica)
• Portuguese (PT): epístola - carta (formal) - epístola (bíblica)
• Chinese (Simplified): 书信 - 使徒书
• Chinese (Traditional): 書信 - 使徒書
• Hindi: पत्रिका - धार्मिक पत्र
• Arabic: رسالة (رسمية أو دينية)
• Bengali: পত্র (ধর্মীয় বা প্রাচীন) - চিঠি (আচারিক/গভীর) - এপিসল (বাইবেল পত্র)
• Russian: послание - эпистола (религиозное)
• Japanese: 書簡（しょかん）- 使徒書（しとしょ、聖書の場合）
• Vietnamese: thư tín - thư (trang trọng/tôn giáo)
• Korean: 서신 - 서간 (격식/종교적)
• Turkish: mektup (resmî/dini) - epistel (Hristiyanlıkta)
• Urdu: رسالہ (مذہبی یا قدیم خط) - خط (رسمی/ادبی)
• Indonesian: surat resmi - epistel (Alkitab/keagamaan)

Example Sentences

Paul wrote an epistle to the Corinthians.

basic

The museum displays an ancient epistle.

basic

She studied the epistles in her theology class.

basic

Some people still write epistles by hand, just for the beauty of it.

natural

His letter sounded more like an old epistle than a modern email.

natural

If you get an epistle from her, expect a long and poetic message.

natural