In a cover letter, “Re:” usually means “regarding” or “concerning.” It introduces the subject of the letter, often in a line such as “Re: Application for the Marketing Coordinator position.” Here, Re is not a casual word or slang: it is a conventional, formal correspondence abbreviation. It is optional, however, and many modern cover letters simply use a clear subject line—or omit one when the letter is attached to an application.
What “Re:” means
Re is commonly used before a topic to indicate what a message or document concerns. In a cover letter, the topic is normally the job, application, or recipient’s reference number. For example:
- Re: Application for the Accounts Assistant position
- Re: Job posting 4821 — Customer Service Representative
The colon is customary in this use. The abbreviation is often written with a capital R at the beginning of a line, but lowercase re: is also seen. It is pronounced like the letters “R-E” or simply understood as a written heading; readers do not usually say “regarding” aloud when reading the line.
Be aware that re has other meanings in other settings. In email, “Re:” commonly appears in a reply’s subject line, where it signals a response to an earlier message. In legal and administrative headings, it can introduce the matter being discussed. These are related uses of a subject marker, but the context determines exactly what the line refers to.
Origin and status of the abbreviation
The correspondence use of Re is associated with the Latin preposition in re, meaning “in the matter of” or “in the thing.” English legal and formal writing adopted in re as a way to identify the matter under consideration. Over time, Re: became a compact heading in letters and other correspondence, with the colon separating the marker from the subject.
In present-day English, this is an established, standard convention in formal correspondence—not internet slang. It is also not an ordinary prefix in this context. The separate English prefix re-, as in rewrite or reapply, means “again” or “back”; it is not the meaning of Re: at the start of a subject line.
Although traditional, Re: can sound administrative or old-fashioned in a short, contemporary application letter. That does not make it incorrect. The key is to use it as a clear heading, not as a substitute for explaining your purpose in the letter.
How to use it in a cover letter
If you include “Re:”, put it on its own line near the top of the letter, usually after the date and recipient details and before the greeting. Keep the subject brief and specific. A hiring manager should be able to identify the role without needing to infer what the abbreviation means.
A simple layout could look like this:
- Write the date and, if appropriate, the recipient’s name and address.
- Add a subject line beginning with “Re:” and name the position.
- Start the letter with an appropriate greeting.
- Explain your interest and qualifications in the body of the letter.
Example sentence in context: “I am writing to apply for the Research Assistant position advertised on the department’s careers page.” The subject line might read “Re: Research Assistant application.” The sentence—not the abbreviation—does the work of stating your purpose.
Do not write “I am re the position” or use “re” as a replacement for a complete sentence in the body. In ordinary prose, write “regarding,” “about,” or a more direct phrase. The abbreviation works best as a heading.
Choosing between “Re:” and other subject lines
Use the format that fits the application method and the expectations of the organization. If an application portal asks you to upload a cover letter, a separate “Re:” line may be unnecessary when the job title is already clear in the document or portal. If you are sending a letter directly, a subject line can help identify the role, especially when the recipient handles many applications.
- “Re: [Job title]” is concise and formal.
- “Application for [Job title]” is equally clear and avoids an abbreviation.
- “Cover Letter — [Job title]” can work as a document heading or email subject.
- No subject line is acceptable when the layout is already clear and the letter follows a conventional format.
For an email application, the email’s subject field is more important than adding a duplicate subject inside the attached letter. Follow any instructions in the vacancy notice, including a requested reference code. If no format is specified, choose one clear label and avoid repeating the same information in several headings.
Cover letter template
Date: ____________________
Recipient name and title: ____________________
Organization: ____________________
Re: ____________________
Dear ____________________,
I am applying for the ____________________ position. I learned about the opening through ____________________.
My relevant experience includes ____________________. In particular, I ____________________.
I would welcome the opportunity to discuss how my background relates to the role. Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
____________________
Contact information: ____________________
Sample (fictional): Re: Library Assistant position. “I am applying for the Library Assistant position listed on the town careers page. In my volunteer role at the fictional Northfield Reading Room, I organized returned books and helped visitors locate materials.” The names and details here are invented for illustration.
Common mistakes and misconceptions
- Assuming it means “reply.” In an email thread, “Re:” often marks a reply subject. In a cover-letter heading, it means the matter or topic the letter concerns.
- Treating it as a required field. It is optional. A direct “Application for…” line or a clear opening paragraph can do the job.
- Using an unclear subject. “Re: Job” gives little useful information. Name the role or include the posting reference when relevant.
- Putting it in the body as an incomplete phrase. Use “regarding” in a sentence, or keep “Re:” in the subject line.
- Confusing it with the prefix “re-.” “Re: Sales Associate role” concerns the role; “reapply” means apply again.
Some readers connect Re with the Latin word for “thing” or assume that it is an acronym. The familiar heading derives from the Latin phrase in re; in a modern cover letter, it functions as a conventional abbreviation rather than a new acronym that needs to be expanded.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “Re:” mean in a cover letter?
It means “regarding” or “concerning” and introduces the subject of the letter, usually the job title or application reference.
Is “Re:” formal or slang?
It is a standard, formal correspondence convention, not slang. It may feel traditional, but it remains understandable and appropriate when used as a concise subject heading.
Should I put “Re:” in my cover letter?
You can, but you do not have to. Include it if a subject line improves clarity or the employer requests one; otherwise, a direct heading or clear first sentence is enough.
Does “Re:” mean “reply” or “regarding”?
In a cover-letter heading, it means “regarding” or “concerning.” In an email subject line, it commonly indicates that the message is a reply in an existing conversation.
How should I format “Re:” in a cover letter?
Place it on a separate subject line before the greeting, followed by a colon and a specific subject, such as “Re: Application for the Office Assistant position.”
Can I write “regarding” instead of “Re:”?
Yes. “Application for the Office Assistant position” or a sentence beginning “I am writing to apply…” is often more natural in a modern letter. Choose one clear approach and follow the employer’s instructions.