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

Participants also suggest that their current birthmarks or birth defects correspond to wounds from a previous life. —Mark Travers, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024

Today’s state-of-the-art models seem to have networks of code that consistently correspond to certain topics, ideas, or entities. —Matteo Wong, The Atlantic, 6 Dec. 2024

Pantone's precursors are rooted in the need to describe the natural world A color chosen to correspond to the natural world is fitting, considering the history of modern color systems. —Emma Bowman, NPR, 5 Dec. 2024

His former partner, Jacob Marley, is suffering in his afterlife for corresponding avarice. —Armstrong Williams, Baltimore Sun, 1 Dec. 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