Standard Lemma guide

inbox

noun · verb · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˈɪnbɒks/
  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˈɪmbɒks/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • General-American: /ˈɪnbɑks/
  • General-American: /ˈɪmbɑks/
  • CMU ARPABET: IH1 N B AA2 K S Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A container in which papers to be dealt with are put.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: in-basket, in-tray

Antonyms: outbox

2

noun

Meaning 2

An electronic folder serving the same purpose, but for electronic files, especially email.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: computing, engineering, mathematics, natural-sciences, physical-sciences, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

The aggregate of items that demand one's attention or effort.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively

Examples

  • The kids, my ex, my parents, the job, bills — my inbox is full.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

verb

Meaning 4

To put (something) in someone's inbox.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

Examples

  • I just inboxed you the presentation.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

verb

Meaning 5

To communicate with (a person) by writing to their electronic inbox.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: transitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From in + box.

Across languages

Translations

49 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Arabic: صُنْدُوق الوَارِد (ṣundūq al-wārid) — container
  • Dutch: postvak — container
  • Finnish: saapuneet-laatikko — container
  • Finnish: postilaatikko — container
  • Māori: pouakauru — container
  • Polish: skrzynka odbiorcza — container
  • Spanish: buzón de entrada — container
  • Swedish: inkorg — container
  • Vietnamese: hộp thư đến — container
  • Arabic: صُنْدُوق الوَارِد (ṣundūq al-wārid) — electronic folder
  • Arabic: عُلْبَة الوَارِد — electronic folder
  • Armenian: մուտքի արկղ (mutkʻi arkġ) — electronic folder
  • Catalan: bústia electrònica — electronic folder
  • Chinese Mandarin: 收件箱 (shōujiànxiāng) — electronic folder
  • Chinese Mandarin: 收件匣 (shōujiànxiá) — electronic folder
  • Czech: doručená pošta — electronic folder
  • Czech: inbox — electronic folder
  • Danish: indbakke — electronic folder
  • Dutch: inbox — electronic folder
  • Finnish: saapuneet-kansio — electronic folder
  • Finnish: saapuneet-laatikko — electronic folder
  • French: boîte de réception — electronic folder
  • German: Posteingang — electronic folder
  • German: Inbox — electronic folder
  • Greek: εισερχόμενα (eiserchómena) — electronic folder
  • Hungarian: levelesláda — electronic folder
  • Hungarian: beérkező levelek — electronic folder
  • Hungarian: beérkezett levelek — electronic folder
  • Hungarian: bejövő levelek — electronic folder
  • Icelandic: viðtökuhólf — electronic folder
  • Icelandic: innhólf — electronic folder
  • Irish: bocsa isteach — electronic folder
  • Italian: posta in arrivo — electronic folder
  • Japanese: 受信箱 (jushinbako) — electronic folder
  • Macedonian: примени пораки (primeni poraki) — electronic folder
  • Māori: pouakauru — electronic folder
  • Norwegian: innboks — electronic folder
  • Norwegian Nynorsk: innboks — electronic folder
  • Persian: صندوق ورودی (sanduq-e vorudi) — electronic folder
  • Polish: skrzynka odbiorcza — electronic folder
  • Portuguese: caixa de entrada — electronic folder
  • Russian: почто́вый я́щик (počtóvyj jáščik) — electronic folder
  • Scottish Gaelic: bogsa a-steach — electronic folder
  • Spanish: buzón de entrada — electronic folder
  • Swedish: inkorg — electronic folder
  • Vietnamese: hộp thư đến — electronic folder
  • Vietnamese: hòm thư đến — electronic folder
  • Welsh: blwch post — electronic folder
  • Welsh: mewnflwch — electronic folder