Gmail
/ˈdʒiːmeɪl/
nounA2
Definition
Gmail is a free online service where you can send, receive, and store emails. It is made by Google and is used by millions of people worldwide for personal and work communication.
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See It in Action
An email service by Google
- •I use Gmail to send messages to my friends.
- •She checked her Gmail inbox on her phone.
- •You need a Gmail account to use some Google services.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "gmail" like "email" (A1 word), but a special kind made by Google with extra features like lots of storage and easy searching.
- ✓Picture a mailbox on your computer or phone where letters (messages) arrive and you can send letters to friends or work.
- ✓It's the feeling of checking your messages quickly and finding important news or messages from friends.
- ✓Sounds like "G-mail" → imagine the letter "G" carrying mail fast through the internet.
- ✓Think of Google as a big post office that helps deliver your letters anywhere in the world.
- ✓NOT like "mail" (physical letters you get at home), Gmail is electronic mail, so it’s faster and you don’t need paper.
- ✓NOT like other email services that might be harder to use; Gmail is known for being simple and easy.
- ✓NOT like social media where you post pictures or messages publicly; Gmail is private communication between people.
Try Other Words
- •Email: messages sent electronically (Use when you don’t mean a specific service)
- •Inbox: the place where new emails arrive (Use when focusing on receiving messages)
- •Google Mail: full name of Gmail (Use in formal or official contexts)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "G" (Google) + "mail" (messages sent electronically)
- •Etymology: Created by Google as the name for their email service, combining their company initial with "mail"
- •Historical development: Launched in 2004 as a new email service with more storage and better search than others
- •Modern usage: One of the most popular email services worldwide, used for personal and business communication
Reflect & Connect
•How does using Gmail change the way you communicate compared to traditional mail?
•What features of Gmail make it easier or harder to stay organized with your messages?
Fill in the blanks
1.I opened my Gmail ___ to read the message from my teacher.
2.You need a ___ account if you want to use Google Drive or YouTube.
3.Unlike regular mail, Gmail messages arrive ___ and you can read them on your phone.
4.When you send an email using Gmail, the message goes through the ___.
5.If your Gmail inbox is full, you might not be able to ___ new messages.
6.Gmail has a ___ feature that helps you find old messages quickly.
7.Many people use Gmail because it is free and ___ to use.