Mail or Male?

search our site by Craig Shrives

What Is the Difference between "Mail" and "Male"?

"Mail" and "Male" are easy to confuse because they sound identical (i.e., they are perfect homonyms). However, their meanings are very different.

• "Mail" means letters or parcels sent by post.
• Has the mail arrived yet? I'm expecting a parcel.
• "To mail" means to send a letter or a parcel by post.
• Did you mail your brother's birthday present?
• "Male" describes someone's or something's gender as masculine. It also means a masculine person, plant, or animal.
• The male bird is far brighter.
• The smaller of the two sharks is the male.

More about "Mail" and "Male"

Mail

The noun "mail" refers to anything sent by post (usually parcels and letters). The word can also be seen in the word e-mail, which means "electronic mail". "Mail" is also used as a verb that means to send a letter or a parcel by post.

Example sentences with "mail":

• I get mail; therefore, I am.
(Here, "mail" is a noun.)
• I'm not sure that I mailed them, although I did close the slot and open it again to check.
(Here, "mail" is a verb.)

Male

The noun "male" denotes something as masculine (i.e., not female). The word "male" may also be used an adjective.

Example sentences with "male":

• I wanted to be a male ballet dancer.
(Here, "male" is an adjective.)
• The word "excess" has no meaning for a male.
(Here, "male" is a noun.)

Common Terms with "Male" and "Mail"

Common terms with the word "male":

• alpha male
• male pattern baldness
• shemale

Common terms with the word "mail":

• airmail
• email
• mail box
• Royal Mail

Chain Male or Chain Mail?

"Chain mail" (not "chain male") is armor consisting of small metal rings linked together to form a mesh. It was used from the 3rd century to the 14th century.

Ready for the Test?