correspond

verb

cor·​re·​spond ˌkȯr-ə-ˈspänd 

ˌkär-

corresponded; corresponding; corresponds

intransitive verb

1

a

: to be in conformity or agreement

… the ideal failed once again to correspond with the reality …

—James R. Sutherland

b

: to compare closely : match

—usually used with to or with

The number of ballots cast should correspond to the number of people present.

c

: to be equivalent or parallel

In some countries, the role of president corresponds to that of prime minister.

2

: to communicate with a person by exchange of letters

Synonyms

• write

Examples of correspond in a Sentence

In some countries, the role of president corresponds to that of prime minister.

the joints on a horse that correspond to the human knees

Each number corresponds to a location on the map.

We'll revise the schedule to correspond with the school calendar.

Recent Examples on the Web

Serious shoes, of course, are small, wearable marvels of engineering, constructed on a particular last that corresponds to a specific size. —Willow Lindley, Vogue, 24 Apr. 2024

The layer consists of the compressed remains of snow that fell eleven thousand seven hundred years ago, which corresponds to the end of a cold snap known as the Younger Dryas. —Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle French or Medieval Latin; Middle French correspondre, from Medieval Latin correspondēre, from Latin com- + respondēre to respond

First Known Use

1529, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

correspond

verb

cor·​re·​spond ˌkȯr-ə-ˈspänd 

ˌkär-

1

: to be alike

2

: to be equivalent (as in meaning, position, purpose, or structure) : match

3

: to communicate by means of letters

correspondingly

-ˈspän-diŋ-lē

adverb