message

[ mes-ij ]

/ ˈmɛs ɪdʒ /

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See synonyms for: message / messaged / messages / messaging on Thesaurus.com

noun

a communication containing some information, news, advice, request, or the like, sent by messenger, telephone, email, or other means.

an official communication, as from a chief executive to a legislative body: the president's message to Congress.

Digital Technology. a post or reply on an online message board.

the inspired utterance of a prophet or sage.

the point, moral, or meaning of a gesture, utterance, novel, motion picture, etc.

Computers. a warning, permission, etc., communicated by the system or software to the user: an error message; a message to allow blocked content.

verb (used without object)

to send a message, especially an electronic message.

verb (used with object)

to send (a person) a message.

to send as a message.

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

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Idioms about message

get the message, Informal. to understand or comprehend, especially to infer the correct meaning from circumstances, hints, etc.: If we don't invite him to the party, maybe he'll get the message.

Origin of message

1250–1300; Middle English <Old French <Vulgar Latin *missāticum, equivalent to Latin miss(us) sent (past participle of mittere to send) + -āticum-age

OTHER WORDS FROM message

in·ter·mes·sage, noun, adjective

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH message

massage, message

Words nearby message

mesozoan, Mesozoic, mesquite, mess, mess about, message, message board, message center, Messager, message stick, message switching

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use message in a sentence

Theresa Causa, a nurse practitioner in San Antonio, tried a new dating app called S’More, which reveals matches’ photos only after a pair has exchanged several messages.
What’s sexy in a pandemic? Caution.|Lisa Bonos|February 12, 2021|Washington Post
In a brief message on Instagram, the City Girls thanked Rae for the opportunity to enter the world of television.
A New Comedy From Issa Rae Is Coming To HBO Max|Brande Victorian|February 11, 2021|Essence.com
With no pregame anthem, maybe there’s no way for the NBA to spread that message as powerfully as players did last summer in Orlando.
The pregame national anthem — in all its roiling contradictions — still has something to offer|Barry Svrluga|February 11, 2021|Washington Post
Now you need to signal the Dear Leader that you have received his message and are standing down, but standing by.
Gene Weingarten: I come bearing good news, QAnon. Meet WAnon, the new Mr. Right.|Gene Weingarten|February 11, 2021|Washington Post

Kazuko Fukuda, one of the women who started the petition, said she had wanted a way to get the message across to politicians in their “boys’ club” who had closed ranks around Mori and cling to old attitudes.
Japan Olympics chief who said women talk too much will resign over remarks, reports say|Simon Denyer, Julia Mio Inuma|February 11, 2021|Washington Post
When it comes to educating our children, Congress should heed that message, not ignore it.
The ‘No Child’ Rewrite Threatens Your Kids’ Future|Jonah Edelman|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Leelah Alcorn's message was sent, and heard, and things started changing.
Cover-Ups and Concern Trolls: Actually, It's About Ethics in Suicide Journalism|Arthur Chu|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Does the sending of the message “justify” the tragedy that caused it?
Cover-Ups and Concern Trolls: Actually, It's About Ethics in Suicide Journalism|Arthur Chu|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But the act of killing herself done, the message was sent, and heard, and things started changing.
Cover-Ups and Concern Trolls: Actually, It's About Ethics in Suicide Journalism|Arthur Chu|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The audio message featured the words, “the real battle in Lebanon is yet to begin.”
A Sunni-Shia Love Story Imperiled by al Qaeda|Ruth Michaelson|December 26, 2014|DAILY BEAST
His head fell back limp on MacRae's arm, and the rest of the message went with the game old Dutchman across the big divide.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
We were interrupted at this moment by a message from General Houston, to whom we immediately hastened.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
"It will go through, if I live," calmly replied Harry, as he carefully concealed the message in the lining of his coat.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn
In the telegraph office a young signaler was sending a thrilling message to Umballa, Lahore and the north.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
Aristide again sought the message of the stars; but the sky was clouded over, and soon a fine rain began to fall.
The Joyous Adventures of Aristide Pujol|William J. Locke

British Dictionary definitions for message

message

/ (ˈmɛsɪdʒ) /

noun

a communication, usually brief, from one person or group to another

an implicit meaning or moral, as in a work of art

a formal communiqué

an inspired communication of a prophet or religious leader

a mission; errand

(plural) Scot shoppinggoing for the messages

get the message informal to understand what is meant

verb

(tr) to send as a message, esp to signal (a plan, etc)

Word Origin for message

C13: from Old French, from Vulgar Latin missāticum (unattested) something sent, from Latin missus, past participle of mittere to send

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with message

message

see get the message.

message

Idioms about message

Origin of message

OTHER WORDS FROM message

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH message

Words nearby message

Words related to message

How to use message in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for message

Word Origin for message

Other Idioms and Phrases with message