# message

/ˈmɛsədʒ/ (US) · /mˈɛsɪdʒ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/message
Updated: 2026-07-22

## Senses

### 1. sent information

noun · CEFR A1

a piece of information that you send to someone or leave for them.

For teachers: a communication transmitted between parties, whether written, spoken, or electronic.

- I left a message on her phone because she didn't answer my call.
- The receptionist took a detailed message from the client, ensuring that every specific requirement was noted for the director's review.

Usage: Often used with the verbs 'leave', 'send', or 'get'.

### 2. main idea

noun · CEFR B2

the most important idea that a book, film, or speech tries to teach.

For teachers: the underlying theme, moral, or social conclusion intended to be conveyed by a creative work or public discourse.

- The movie has a strong message about protecting the environment.
- Critics debated whether the novel's political message was too overt, potentially overshadowing the nuanced development of its central characters.

### 3. shopping or errands

noun · CEFR C1 · British English · Dialect

small tasks or food shopping you do for your home.

For teachers: a regional term for household errands or grocery shopping, typically used in the plural.

- I'm just going into town to do my messages for the week.
- She spent the Saturday morning running messages for her elderly neighbour before starting her own housework.

Usage: Almost always used in the plural form 'messages'.

Teaching tip: This usage is specific to Scotland, Ireland, and parts of Northern England; most English speakers will only understand the 'communication' sense.

### 4. to send a text

verb · CEFR A2

to send someone a written electronic communication, usually on a phone or computer.

For teachers: to transmit an electronic communication to a recipient, typically via instant messaging or SMS.

- I will message you the address of the restaurant later tonight.
- The team members messaged each other constantly throughout the project to coordinate their various tasks and deadlines.

Usage: Can be used transitively with a person as the object or intransitively.

## Examples

- I sent you a message on your phone this morning.
- If the manager is not in her office, please leave a message with her assistant and she will call you back.
- The encryption software ensures that every message sent across the network remains private and cannot be intercepted by unauthorized third parties during transmission.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.