Message

/ˈmɛsɪdʒ/

nounBeginner🔥Very CommonCommunication
2 meanings2 idioms/phrases3 questions

Definitions

2 meanings
1

A piece of information or a communication sent from one person to another.

/ˈmɛsɪdʒ/

nounneutralBeginner
Communication

A communication conveyed or sent from one person or group to another.

I sent a message to my friend.

💡 Simply: A message is like a note or a text you send to tell someone something. Like when you send a message to a friend saying, "Let's meet up!"

👶 For kids: A message is like a note you write or a text you send to someone to tell them something.

More Examples

2

The message was urgent.

3

Please leave a message after the beep.

4

Did you get the message I sent?

How It's Used

General Communication

"I received a message from my friend."

Business

"The CEO sent out a company-wide message regarding the new policy."

Technology

"He left a message on my voicemail."

2

To send a message to someone, typically electronically.

/ˈmɛsɪdʒ/

verbneutralBeginner
Communication

To send a message to someone.

I'll message him later.

💡 Simply: To message is like sending a text or an email to someone. Like when you message your friend "I'm on my way!"

👶 For kids: To message is like sending a note to someone.

More Examples

2

She messaged me to say she was running late.

3

Can you message the group about the meeting?

4

I messaged my mom to let her know I was home safe.

How It's Used

Technology

"I messaged her on my phone."

Informal communication

"Message me later when you're free."

Tip:Think of 'message' as the action: to send information.

Idioms & expressions

get the message

To understand what is implied, or the underlying meaning of a situation.

"He didn't say anything, but I got the message that he wasn't happy."

send a message

To communicate a particular idea, or feeling.

"The artist used a painting to send a powerful message about social injustice."

From Old French *messatge*, derived from *mestre* (to send) and Latin *mittere* (to send).

The word 'message' has been used in English since the 13th century, originally referring to a messenger or a verbal communication. Over time, it evolved to include written forms of communication and electronic transmissions.

Memory tip

Imagine a messenger delivering a scroll; the message is the content of the scroll.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"To send"

send a messagereceive a messageleave a messagedeliver a messagetext messageemail messageurgent messageimportant messageget the message

Common misspellings

messsagemesagemesage

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written