best regards / cheers / smile

[emily wong]

What is the name for phrases ending a letter, for example "Best Regards"? Quite sure "Cheers" could be used for ending a letter, but what about "Smile"? Could "Smile" be used? Are there any other phases could aslo be used? Thanks a lot!

Emily Wong

 

[MrPedantic]

Hello Emily

I would call it the "close" or the "ending". There may be another phrase, though – if so, maybe another member will know.

Here are some options:

Yours sincerely - for use in letters and emails, when you start the letter "Dear Mr X".

Yours faithfully - for use in letters and emails, when you start the letter "Dear sir".

Best wishes - for use in a greetings card; increasing used in letters and emails too.

Best regards - for use in a business email.

Kind regards - for use in a business email.

Cheers - for use in an email to a friend.

See you later - for use in an email to a close friend.

Other members may be able to think of other phrases!

Bye
MrP

 

[Ouisch]

Technically, it's called the "complimentary closing."

 

[SpecialED]

Technically, it's called the "complimentary closing."

I think the most accurate term is "valediction":

val·e·dic·tion (v

l

-d

k

sh

n)n.

1. An act of bidding farewell; a leave-taking.
2. A speech or statement made as a farewell.
3. A word or phrase of farewell used to end a letter or message.

From...

valediction - definition of valediction by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus and Encyclopedia.