What does philately mean?
Philately is the collecting and study of postage stamps and related postal objects, such as envelopes, postal marks, and covers. The term can describe either a hobby or an academic field concerned with the history, design, printing, and cultural significance of stamps. Its everyday equivalent is “stamp collecting,” while “philatelic” is the usual adjective for objects, exhibitions, societies, and values connected with the subject. Collectors may specialize by country, period, theme, or printing method, and the study can overlap with postal history, art history, economics, and the study of graphic design. Philately is especially associated with the careful preservation, identification, and appraisal of stamps, but it also includes the enjoyment of assembling and exchanging collections. Although the activity is sometimes treated as a specialized pastime, major philatelic exhibitions and societies have long treated it as a serious field of historical inquiry.
nounPhilately is the study or collecting of postage stamps and other postal items, including their history, design, and value. The term can refer to the hobby as a whole or to the scholarly study of stamps.
- The collecting of postage stamps and other postal items as a hobby.
- The scholarly study of postage stamps and postal history.
"She has been interested in philately since childhood, collecting stamps from more than fifty countries."
"The museum hosted an exhibition exploring the history of philately in Europe."
"His interest in philately led him to study postal history and stamp printing."
The plural is uncommon; the word is normally used in the singular or as an uncountable noun.
"The two philatelies were catalogued separately before the exhibition opened."
Philately literally frames postage stamps as objects of affection: its name comes from Greek elements meaning “loving” and “tax-free.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of philately
Philately was coined in the 19th century from Greek elements associated with loving stamps and their tax-exempt status. Its formation follows the pattern of “philatelic” and related English words, which refer to stamps or stamp collecting. The word spread internationally as the name of both the hobby and the scholarly study of stamps.
Related word forms
How philately is actually used
Usually uncountable in modern English. It is most often used in formal or specialist contexts, while “stamp collecting” is the ordinary everyday phrase. “Philatelic” is the corresponding adjective, as in “philatelic exhibition.”