ENGLISH
REFERENCE

SMS

n. C / U
A2 Elementary US //ˌɛˌsɛˈmɛs// sms

n. Stands for Short Message Service. A short text message sent from one mobile phone to another. It is the standard way to send a quick note without using the internet or an app.

n. Abbreviation for Short Message Service. A protocol for sending short text messages between mobile devices. Often used metonymically to refer to the message itself.


SIMPLE

I sent an SMS to let him know I arrived safely.

CONTEXTUAL

The bank sends an SMS with a one-time code whenever you try to log in from a new device.

COMPLEX

While instant messaging apps have become the primary mode of digital communication, the SMS remains a critical fallback for emergency alerts and two-factor authentication in areas with poor data coverage.

Synonyms
Origin

From German SMS.

Usage

Countable when referring to the message; uncountable when referring to the technology or service.

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