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In linguistics, an addressee is an intended direct recipient of the speaker's communication. A listener is either an addressee or a bystander.

Second-person pronouns refer to an addressee or a group including an addressee. An inclusive first-person pronoun refers to a group including both the speaker and the addressee, while an exclusive first-person pronoun refers to a group including the speaker but not the addressee.

A speaker can show politeness, familiarity, or a difference of social status to the addressee. This is called an addressee honorific. See also T-V distinction.

In postal terms, an addressee is the intended direct recipient of a letter or parcel.

External links

• SIL glossary of linguistic terms - What is an addressee?