postmark
Elementary (A2)
IPA: /ˈpoʊstˌmɑrk/
KK: /ˈpoʊstˌmɑrk/
noun
Definition
A mark made by the post office on a piece of mail to show when and where it was sent, often covering the postage stamp.
Example
The letter had a postmark from New York dated yesterday.
Conversation
Did you see the postmark on that letter I sent you last week?
Yeah, it was dated from a really interesting place!
I thought it was cool to have a postmark from there.
Definitely! It adds character to the mail.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
cancellation
stamp
mark
Antonyms
unmarked
blank
unsigned
transitive verb
Definition
To place a stamp on a letter or package to show the date and place it was sent from.
Example
She decided to postmark the letter before sending it off.
Tense Forms
Past: postmarked
Past Participle: postmarked
Conversation
Did you remember to postmark that letter before sending it?
Oh no, I totally forgot about that detail!
It's important to postmark it, otherwise it might get delayed.
Root Explanation
Postmark → It is formed from "post" (from Latin *postis*, meaning after or behind) and "mark" (from Old English *mearc*, meaning a sign or boundary). The word "postmark" refers to a mark indicating that a letter has been sent after a certain point in time.
Memory Tip
Think of a 'mark' that shows when something was sent 'after' — that's what a postmark indicates.
Visually Confused Words
ostmark
unpostmarked
pitmark
estmark