Useful Words for Business Letters
The vocabulary on this page is used in these sample letters. The table below gives the meaning for each word. If you decide to copy and modify any of the sample letters for your own use, make sure you are choosing the right words.
| word | meaning |
|---|---|
| apologize verb |
say "sorry" |
| approach noun |
method or style of doing something |
| attitude noun |
outlook on life |
| by invitation only | only those who are asked to come will be allowed in |
| commence verb |
start |
| complimentary adjective |
free |
| concerns noun |
problems, issues |
| confidential adjective |
private |
| conscientious adjective |
cares about quality of work |
| contribution noun |
individual effort or support in a group |
| convenient adjective |
suitable, favourable, makes life easy |
| cooperation noun |
the act of working together |
| coordinator noun |
person who organizes something |
| dedication noun |
a lot of effort put into something |
| dependable adjective |
can be trusted |
| disregard verb |
ignore, pay no attention to |
| do not hesitate | don't wait |
| dropped verb |
fell to a lower amount |
| effective adjective |
produces a positive response |
| efficient adjective |
performs well |
| enclosed adjective |
included inside |
| encouraged verb |
persuaded or inspired |
| enquire (BrE) inquire (AmE) verb |
looking for information |
| extravaganza noun |
exciting and rare event |
| formal adjective |
following set requirements |
| grateful adjective |
thankful |
| guarantee verb |
promise |
| impact noun |
effect |
| indicates verb |
shows |
| invoice noun |
document detailing purchases and money owed |
| latest adjective |
most modern |
| lay-off verb |
take a job away from an employee (when employee is not at fault) |
| notice noun |
document that indicates a change or event |
| outstanding balance adjective |
money still owed |
| pleasure noun |
enjoyment |
| postpone verb |
delay until later |
| preferred customer |
buyer who comes back often |
| present verb |
award something to someone |
| professional adjective |
exhibits suitable behaviour on the job |
| profound adjective |
deep |
| punctual noun |
always on time |
| reach me verb |
find and talk to me |
| records noun |
files that keep track of business matters |
| regarding verb |
being about |
| regret verb |
feel bad |
| reliable adj |
dependable |
| replacement noun |
someone who fills the position of another |
| representative noun |
a person who acts on behalf of another person, company, policy... |
| resignation noun |
the act of leaving a job position |
| respected adj |
considered good and honest |
| retirement noun |
a permanent leave from the workplace (usually due to aging) |
| senior staff noun |
employees who hold high positions or have been working at the same place for a long time |
| severance noun |
money paid to make up for a separation |
| sharp adverb |
exactly (in reference to time) |
| skyrocketed verb |
went up higher very quickly |
| stock noun |
share in ownership |
| struggle verb |
work at with difficulty |
| sufficient adj |
enough |
| support noun |
financial help |
| T.B.A | To Be Announced |
| versatile adj |
with a variety of skills and abilities |
| welcome adjective |
(happily) permitted to do something |