missive

American  

[mis-iv] / ˈmɪs ɪv /

noun

1. a written message; letter.

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adjective

1. sent or about to be sent, especially of a letter from an official source.

missive British  

/ ˈmɪsɪv /

noun

1. a formal or official letter

2. a formal word for letter

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adjective

1. rare sent or intended to be sent

Etymology

Origin of missive

1400–50; late Middle English ( letter ) missive < Medieval Latin ( littera ) missīva sent (letter), equivalent to Latin miss ( us ) (past participle of mittere to send) + -īva, feminine of -īvus -ive

Example Sentences

Two days later, they lobbed a missive at Warner: “WBD appears to have abandoned the semblance and reality of a fair transaction process,” Paramount’s lawyers wrote.

From Los Angeles Times

A smart and savvy negotiator who bridged Sacramento’s overlapping worlds of government, business and labor, Williamson is also someone who picked unnecessary fights and launched cruel missives, political consultants and friends said this week.

From Los Angeles Times

The missive is the latest sign of pushback against the AI boom buoying the U.S. economy and markets while straining power producers’ ability to keep up.

From The Wall Street Journal

The missive was published late Monday, days ahead of the COP30 climate summit in Brazil.

From Barron's

He has been known on an occasion or two to defend the club with private missives to media organisations, but nothing is heard in public.

From BBC

Related Words

• memo
• memorandum