Address vs. Addressee — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 16, 2024
Address refers to the details of a location or a speech, while addressee is the person to whom something, such as mail or a speech, is directed.
Difference Between Address and Addressee
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
An address can denote the physical location where someone lives or an organization is situated, indicating exact geographical details. On the other hand, an addressee is specifically the person or entity to whom correspondence or communication is intended.
When composing a letter, the address includes elements such as street name, number, city, and ZIP code, necessary for the mail to reach its destination. Whereas, the addressee is the named individual or group expected to receive and open the letter.
In the context of communication, delivering a speech often involves addressing a broader audience or specific person, with the content tailored accordingly. Conversely, the addressee in this scenario would be the audience or the individual whose attention and response are sought by the speaker.
Technological communication uses email where the address might be the sender’s or recipient’s email address. On the other hand, the addressee is the intended recipient of the email, usually indicated in the "To" or "Cc" field.
Addressing can also be figurative, such as addressing a problem or an issue, which implies directing attention and effort towards solving it. Conversely, there is no figurative usage for addressee, as it always pertains to the recipient of communication.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Location details or a formal speech
Person/entity correspondence is directed to
Purpose
To provide a location or to present issues or information
To identify the recipient of communication
Usage in Mail
Includes street, city, zip code
The named recipient of the mail
Usage in Speech
Content of speech or presentation
Target audience or specific listener
Figurative Use
Addressing an issue (solving it)
No figurative use
Compare with Definitions
Address
To direct a speech or written communication to someone.
He addressed the letter to his manager.
Addressee
The person to whom a speech is directed.
The addressees of her farewell speech were visibly moved.
Address
To deal with or discuss a particular issue.
The meeting today will address our strategy for growth.
Addressee
The person or organization named as the recipient of a piece of mail.
The package finally reached its addressee after a week.
Address
A formal speech delivered to an audience.
The president delivered a compelling address at the inauguration.
Addressee
The primary recipient in any form of direct communication.
The memo’s addressee was responsible for its implementation.
Address
To use a title or proper name when speaking to someone.
She addressed him as Doctor out of respect.
Addressee
The main contact person in a business or formal interaction.
The addressee of the complaint handled the situation professionally.
Address
The particulars of the place where someone lives or an organization is located.
Please update your mailing address in our records.
Addressee
The intended receiver of a message in electronic communication.
He mistakenly sent the email without adding the addressee’s name.
Address
An address is a collection of information, presented in a mostly fixed format, used to give the location of a building, apartment, or other structure or a plot of land, generally using political boundaries and street names as references, along with other identifiers such as house or apartment numbers and organization name. Some addresses also contain special codes, such as a postal code, to make identification easier and aid in the routing of mail.
Addressee
The one to whom something is addressed.
Address
The particulars of the place where someone lives or an organization is situated
They exchanged addresses and agreed to keep in touch
Addressee
The person or organization to which something, such as a letter or message, is addressed or sent, for whom the item is intended.
Address
A formal speech delivered to an audience
An address to the European Parliament
Addressee
(linguistics) A person or entity to whom discourse is directed, or the words referring to such an entity.
Address
Skill, dexterity, or readiness
He rescued me with the most consummate address
Addressee
One to whom anything is addressed.
Address
Write the name and address of the intended recipient on (an envelope, letter, or parcel)
I addressed my letter to him personally
Addressee
One to whom something is addressed
Address
Speak to (a person or an assembly)
She addressed the open-air meeting
Address
Think about and begin to deal with (an issue or problem)
A fundamental problem has still to be addressed
Address
Take up one's stance and prepare to hit (the ball)
Ensure that your weight is evenly spread when you address the ball
Address
To speak to
Addressed me in low tones.
Address
To make a formal speech to
Addressed the union members at the convention.
Address
To call (a person to whom one is speaking) by a particular name or term
Address the judge as "Your Honor.".
Address
To direct (a spoken or written message) to the attention of
Address a protest to the faculty senate.
Address
To mark with a destination
Address a letter.
Address
To direct the efforts or attention of (oneself)
Address oneself to a task.
Address
To begin to deal with
Addressed the issue of taxes.
Address
To dispatch or consign (a ship, for example) to an agent or factor.
Address
(Sports) To adjust and aim the club at (a golf ball) in preparing for a stroke.
Address
A description of the location of a person or organization, as written or printed on mail as directions for delivery
Wrote the address on the envelope.
Address
The location at which a particular organization or person may be found or reached
Went to her address but no one was home.
Address
A name or a sequence of characters that designates an email account or a specific site on the internet or other network.
Address
A name or number used in information storage or retrieval assigned to or identifying a specific memory location.
Address
A formal speech or written communication.
Address
Often addresses Courteous attentions.
Address
The manner or bearing of a person, especially in conversation.
Address
Skill, deftness, or grace in dealing with people or situations
"With the charms of beauty she combined the address of an accomplished intriguer" (Charles Merivale).
Address
Direction.
Address
(obsolete) Guidance; help.
Address
A polite approach made to another person, especially of a romantic nature; an amorous advance.
Address
A manner of speaking or writing to another; language, style.
A man of pleasing or insinuating address
Address
A formal approach to a sovereign, especially an official appeal or petition; later specifically a response given by each of the Houses of Parliament to the sovereign's speech at the opening of Parliament.
Address
An act of addressing oneself to a person or group; a discourse or speech, or a record of this.
Address
A description of the location of a property, usually with at least a street name and number, name of a town, and now also a postal code; such a description as superscribed for direction on an envelope or letter.
The President's address is 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW in Washington, D.C.
Address
(by extension) The property itself.
I went to his address but there was nobody there.
Address
(computing) A number identifying a specific storage location in computer memory; a string of characters identifying a location on the internet or other network; sometimes specifically an e-mail address.
The program will crash if there is no valid data stored at that address.
Address
Preparation.
Address
Preparedness for some task; resourcefulness; skill, ability.
Address
(obsolete) The act of getting ready; preparation.
Address
The act of bringing the head of the club up to the ball in preparation for swinging.
Address
To prepare oneself.
Address
To direct speech.
Address
To aim; to direct.
Address
To prepare or make ready.
Address
To prepare oneself; to apply one's skill or energies (to some object); to betake.
Address
(reflexive) To direct one’s remarks (to someone).
Address
To clothe or array; to dress.
Address
(transitive) To direct, as words (to anyone or anything); to make, as a speech, petition, etc. (to any audience).
He addressed some portions of his remarks to his supporters, some to his opponents.
Address
(transitive) To direct speech to; to make a communication to, whether spoken or written; to apply to by words, as by a speech, petition, etc., to speak to.
Address
(transitive) To direct in writing, as a letter; to superscribe, or to direct and transmit.
He addressed a letter.
Address
(transitive) To make suit to as a lover; to court; to woo.
Address
(transitive) To consign or entrust to the care of another, as agent or factor.
The ship was addressed to a merchant in Baltimore.
Address
(transitive) To address oneself to; to prepare oneself for; to apply oneself to; to direct one's speech, discourse or efforts to.
Address
To direct attention towards a problem or obstacle, in an attempt to resolve it.
Address
To refer to a location in computer memory.
Address
To get ready to hit (the ball on the tee).
Address
To aim; to direct.
And this good knight his way with me addrest.
Address
To prepare or make ready.
His foe was soon addressed.
Turnus addressed his men to single fight.
The five foolish virgins addressed themselves at the noise of the bridegroom's coming.
Address
Reflexively: To prepare one's self; to apply one's skill or energies (to some object); to betake.
These men addressed themselves to the task.
Address
To clothe or array; to dress.
Tecla . . . addressed herself in man's apparel.
Address
To direct, as words (to any one or any thing); to make, as a speech, petition, etc. (to any one, an audience).
The young hero had addressed his players to him for his assistance.
Address
To direct speech to; to make a communication to, whether spoken or written; to apply to by words, as by a speech, petition, etc., to speak to; to accost.
Are not your orders to address the senate?
The representatives of the nation addressed the king.
Address
To direct in writing, as a letter; to superscribe, or to direct and transmit; as, he addressed a letter.
Address
To make suit to as a lover; to court; to woo.
Address
To consign or intrust to the care of another, as agent or factor; as, the ship was addressed to a merchant in Baltimore.
Address
To prepare one's self.
Address
To direct speech.
Young Turnus to the beauteous maid addrest.
Address
Act of preparing one's self.
Address
Act of addressing one's self to a person; verbal application.
Address
A formal communication, either written or spoken; a discourse; a speech; a formal application to any one; a petition; a formal statement on some subject or special occasion; as, an address of thanks, an address to the voters.
Address
Direction or superscription of a letter, or the name, title, and place of residence of the person addressed.
Address
Manner of speaking to another; delivery; as, a man of pleasing or insinuating address.
Address
Attention in the way one's addresses to a lady.
Address
Skill; skillful management; dexterity; adroitness.
Address
(computer science) the code that identifies where a piece of information is stored
Address
The place where a person or organization can be found or communicated with
Address
The act of delivering a formal spoken communication to an audience;
He listened to an address on minor Roman poets
Address
The manner of speaking to another individual;
He failed in his manner of address to the captain
Address
A sign in front of a house or business carrying the conventional form by which its location is described
Address
Written directions for finding some location; written on letters or packages that are to be delivered to that location
Address
The stance assumed by a golfer in preparation for hitting a golf ball
Address
Social skill
Address
Speak to;
He addressed the crowd outside the window
Address
Give a speech to;
The chairman addressed the board of trustees
Address
Put an address on (an envelope, for example)
Address
Direct a question at someone
Address
Address or apply oneself to something, direct one's efforts towards something, such as a question
Address
Greet, as with a prescribed form, title, or name;
He always addresses me with `Sir'
Call me Mister
She calls him by first name
Address
Access or locate by address
Address
Deal with verbally or in some form of artistic expression;
This book deals with incest
The course covered all of Western Civilization
The new book treats the history of China
Address
Speak to someone
Address
Adjust and aim (a golf ball) at in preparation fo hitting
Common Curiosities
Who is an addressee?
An addressee is the person or entity to whom a communication is directed.
How is an addressee indicated in an email?
The addressee is listed in the "To" field of the email.
What is an address?
An address can refer to the specific location of a place or a formal speech.
Can the term address be used figuratively?
Yes, addressing an issue means focusing on and attempting to resolve it.
What role does an addressee play in communication?
The addressee is the intended recipient of a message or communication.
Does the address include a name?
No, an address refers only to geographical details, not individual names.
Is there a figurative use for addressee?
No, addressee always refers to the recipient of a communication.
How do you address a professional letter?
Address a professional letter by including the recipient's full name and formal title if known.
How do you use an address in a letter?
In a letter, the address details where the letter should be sent.
What happens if an addressee is incorrect on a letter?
If an addressee is incorrect, the letter may not reach the intended recipient.
What is the importance of having the correct addressee?
The correct addressee ensures the communication reaches the intended person or group, facilitating proper response or action.
What information is needed for a complete address?
A complete address includes street name, number, city, and ZIP code.
Can an address change?
Yes, addresses can change when people move or organizations relocate.
Can there be multiple addressees in a speech?
Yes, a speech can have multiple addressees, such as when addressing a group.
Is an address necessary on all mail?
Yes, an address is essential for mail delivery.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
