addressee

[ ad-re-see, uh-dre-see ]

noun

1. the person, company, or the like to whom a piece of mail is addressed.

addressee

/ ˌædrɛˈsiː /

noun

1. a person or organization to whom a letter, parcel, etc, is addressed
2. a person who is addressed in conversation, a speech, a poem, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of addressee¹

An Americanism dating back to 1670–80; address + -ee

Example Sentences

In such a case, the apparent addressee is not the real addressee: the teacher is trying to pass on information indirectly to one or more other students.

From Science Daily

“However, I think the main addressee of Kirill’s messages is Putin. Kirill, through these messages, communicates to Putin: I am with you.”

From Seattle Times

“Needless to say the addressee was quite startled when they opened the box,” Port Chester police wrote on Facebook.

From Seattle Times

Its wrapping bears a postmark of May 11, 1965, and the sender and addressee are the same: Lewis Reed.

From New York Times

“Here we go,” he said before slicing into an envelope with a return address on Queens Boulevard in New York, marked “Personal and confidential — to be opened by addressee only.”

From New York Times

Related Words

• denizen
• dweller
• holder
• incumbent
• inhabitant
• renter
• resident
• tenant