Mail or Male?

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Mail or Male?

What is the difference between "mail" and "male"?
  • "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 shark is the male.
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More about "Mail" and "Male"

The words "mail" and "male" are homonyms because they sound identical, but their meanings are completely different.

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. For example:
  • 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.

Examples:
  • 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.
Interactive Exercise
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See Also

adverse or averse? affect or effect? appraise or apprise? avenge or revenge? bare or bear? complement or compliment? dependant or dependent? discreet or discrete? disinterested or uninterested? e.g. or i.e.? envy or jealousy? imply or infer? its or it's? material or materiel? poisonous or venomous? practice or practise? principal or principle? tenant or tenet? who's or whose? What are adjectives? What are nouns? List of easily confused words