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Language Foundation

Returned to sender

Returned to sender is the status of a parcel that has been sent back to the person or business that originally mailed it instead of being delivered to the intended recipient.

In plain English

This means the parcel is going back to where it started. It is being sent to the person or business that originally mailed it, not to the person it was meant for. The phrase names the shipment's delivery status.

In context

Here, it reports that the shipment is being sent back to the person or business that originally mailed it instead of to the intended recipient.

Situation
Tracking parcels through acceptance, transit, sorting, delivery, and proof of receipt
What it communicates
reports that the shipment is being sent back to the sender

Meaning limits

By itself, this status does not say why the parcel is being sent back or whether it has already reached the original sender.

Examples

“The replacement keys were returned to sender and never reached the tenant.”

Core meaning

“Because the parcel had been returned to sender, the shop packed a second one for the customer.”

In context

  • undelivered Broader Term

    A parcel can be undelivered without being sent back to the original sender.

  • delivered Opposite

    This status means the parcel reached the intended recipient rather than being sent back.