Envelope vs. Enclose — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on April 4, 2024
An envelope is a flat, usually paper container for a letter, while to enclose means to surround or close off within or as if within walls.
Difference Between Envelope and Enclose
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Envelope typically refers to a paper covering for letters or documents, designed to protect privacy and ensure safe delivery. It's an essential tool in formal and informal communication, available in various sizes and designs to suit different mailing needs. On the other hand, enclose denotes the action of surrounding or sealing something within boundaries or within another object. It can be physical, such as enclosing a letter inside an envelope, or metaphorical, like enclosing a garden with a fence.
Envelopes serve as the first point of contact between the sender and the recipient, often conveying the sender's style and intention through its design and material. The term encapsulates a broader range of actions, implying protection, concealment, or demarcation of space. It's used in various contexts, from legal documents to everyday communication, indicating the act of including something within a defined space.
Envelopes are primarily associated with the postal system and are used for sending letters, cards, and documents. They are a tangible item that plays a crucial role in communication, offering a way to secure and privatize the contents until they reach the intended recipient. The use of envelopes dates back centuries and has evolved with advancements in materials and technology, adapting to changing communication needs. Enclosing, however, is a versatile concept applied in numerous fields, including construction, agriculture, and communication. It is not limited to the physical act of putting something inside something else but also includes the idea of encompassing or integrating elements within a whole. This can range from enclosing a parcel within packaging material to ensure its safety during transit, to enclosing data within a letter or document for transmission.
While envelopes are specific to the realm of mailing and packaging, enclosing is a broader action that encompasses various forms of containment and protection. Envelopes are a subset of the many ways something can be enclosed, illustrating the specific versus general nature of these terms. Enclosing can be done using a variety of materials and methods, depending on the object or space in question, while envelopes are specifically designed for enclosing letters and similar documents.
Comparison Chart
Definition
A flat paper container for a letter.
To surround or seal within boundaries.
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Purpose
To secure and privatize mailed documents.
To protect, contain, or delineate space.
Material
Usually paper.
Any, depending on context.
Usage Context
Mailing and document delivery.
Broad, including construction and mailing.
Example
Sending a letter in an envelope.
Enclosing a yard with a fence.
Compare with Definitions
Envelope
Paper container for letters.
She sealed the letter in an envelope before mailing it.
Enclose
To insert within.
Please enclose a check with your application.
Envelope
Outer covering.
The spacecraft's heat shield acts as an envelope during re-entry.
Enclose
To confine or seal off.
The letter was enclosed in a waterproof container.
Envelope
Botany term.
The seed is protected by a thin envelope.
Enclose
To surround something.
The farmer decided to enclose the field with a new fence.
Envelope
Boundary or limit.
The artist's new work pushes the envelope of traditional sculpture.
Enclose
To encompass completely.
The park was enclosed by tall trees, creating a serene atmosphere.
Envelope
Geometric concept.
The envelope of a family of curves is fascinating to study.
Enclose
Legal term for adding documents.
The contract, with amendments, was enclosed in the package for review.
Envelope
An envelope is a common packaging item, usually made of thin, flat material. It is designed to contain a flat object, such as a letter or card.
Enclose
To surround on all sides; close in
A valley that is enclosed by rugged peaks.
Envelope
A flat paper container with a sealable flap, used to enclose a letter or document.
Enclose
To fence in so as to prevent common use
Enclosed the pasture.
Envelope
A covering or containing structure or layer
The external envelope of the swimming pool
Enclose
To build or equip with a roof and walls
Enclosed the deck for winter use.
Envelope
A flat paper container, especially for a letter, usually having a gummed flap.
Enclose
To contain, especially so as to envelop or shelter
"Every one of those darkly clustered houses encloses its own secret" (Charles Dickens).
Envelope
Something that envelops; a wrapping.
Enclose
To insert into the same envelope or package
Enclose a check with the order.
Envelope
(Biology) An enclosing structure or cover, such as a membrane or the outer coat of a virus.
Enclose
(transitive) to surround with a wall, fence, etc.
To enclose lands
Envelope
The bag containing the gas in a balloon or airship.
Enclose
(transitive) to insert into a container, usually an envelope or package
Please enclose a stamped self-addressed envelope if you require a reply.
Envelope
The set of limitations within which a technological system, especially an aircraft, can perform safely and effectively.
Enclose
To inclose. See Inclose.
Envelope
A usually spherical region of interstellar matter surrounding a forming star and interacting with the star's gravitational and radiation fields.
Enclose
Enclose or enfold completely with or as if with a covering;
Fog enveloped the house
Envelope
The coma of a comet.
Enclose
Close in or confine
Envelope
(Mathematics) A curve or surface that is tangent to every one of a family of curves or surfaces.
Enclose
Surround completely;
Darkness enclosed him
Envelope
A paper or cardboard wrapper used to enclose small, flat items, especially letters, for mailing.
Enclose
Introduce;
Insert your ticket here
Envelope
Something that envelops; a wrapping.
Envelope
A bag containing the lifting gas of a balloon or airship; fabric that encloses the gas-bags of an airship.
Envelope
(geometry) A mathematical curve, surface, or higher-dimensional object that is the tangent to a given family of lines, curves, surfaces, or higher-dimensional objects. Category:en:Curves
Envelope
(electronics) A curve that bounds another curve or set of curves, as the modulation envelope of an amplitude-modulated carrier wave in electronics.
Envelope
(music) The shape of a sound, which may be controlled by a synthesizer or sampler.
Envelope
(computing) The information used for routing a message that is transmitted with the message but not part of its contents.
Envelope
(biology) An enclosing structure or cover, such as a membrane; a space between two membranes
Envelope
(engineering) The set of limitations within which a technological system can perform safely and effectively.
Envelope
(astronomy) The nebulous covering of the head or nucleus of a comet; a coma.
Envelope
An earthwork in the form of a single parapet or a small rampart, sometimes raised in the ditch and sometimes beyond it.
Envelope
Archaic form of envelop
Envelope
That which envelops, wraps up, encases, or surrounds; a wrapper; an inclosing cover; esp., the cover or wrapper of a document, as of a letter.
Envelope
The nebulous covering of the head or nucleus of a comet; - called also coma.
Envelope
A work of earth, in the form of a single parapet or of a small rampart. It is sometimes raised in the ditch and sometimes beyond it.
Envelope
A curve or surface which is tangent to each member of a system of curves or surfaces, the form and position of the members of the system being allowed to vary according to some continuous law. Thus, any curve is the envelope of its tangents.
Envelope
A set of limits for the performance capabilities of some type of machine, originally used to refer to aircraft; - it is often described graphically as a two-dimensional graph of a function showing the maximum of one performance variable as a function of another. Now it is also used metaphorically to refer to capabilities of any system in general, including human organizations, esp. in the phrase push the envelope. It is used to refer to the maximum performance available at the current state of the technology, and therefore refers to a class of machines in general, not a specific machine.
Envelope
A flat rectangular paper container for papers
Envelope
Any wrapper or covering
Envelope
A curve that is tangent to each of a family of curves
Envelope
A natural covering (as by a fluid);
The spacecraft detected an envelope of gas around the comet
Envelope
The maximum operating capability of a system;
Test pilots try to push the envelope
Envelope
The bag containing the gas in a balloon
Common Curiosities
Can I enclose something digital?
Yes, digital files can be enclosed in emails as attachments.
Can "enclose" mean the same as "include"?
Yes, "enclose" can mean to include something within a larger item or context.
Is enclosing always physical?
No, it can also be metaphorical, such as enclosing someone in your thoughts.
Can enclose be used in legal documents?
Yes, it's often used to indicate that additional documents are included with a legal filing.
What is an envelope used for?
An envelope is used to secure and privatize letters and documents for mailing.
Are all envelopes made of paper?
While most are, envelopes can also be made of other materials like plastic for special purposes.
Can enclosures be temporary?
Yes, temporary enclosures are often used in construction sites.
How do you know if something should be enclosed in a letter?
Instructions or norms usually dictate what should be enclosed in a letter.
What materials are used to enclose outdoor areas?
Wood, metal, plastic, and sometimes living plants are used.
Do envelopes need to be sealed?
Yes, sealing an envelope ensures the privacy and security of its contents.
How does the size of an envelope matter?
The size of an envelope must match the size of its contents to ensure proper protection.
What does it mean to "push the envelope"?
It means to extend the limits of what is possible or acceptable.
Are there electronic envelopes?
Yes, electronic envelopes can refer to digital forms of securing and sending documents.
Is an envelope considered packaging?
Yes, it's a form of packaging for documents and letters.
Is enclosing a yard with a fence common?
Yes, it's a common practice for privacy and security.
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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.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
