noun
Common
messages
MEHS-ih-jihz
Messages (noun) means plural of message: pieces of communication sent between people. In some dialects, also used to mean groceries or shopping errands. Example: “I checked my phone for new messages.”
noun
1
Plural of message: pieces of communication sent between people. In some dialects, also used to mean groceries or shopping errands.
"I checked my phone for new messages."
"She popped out to get the messages from the shop, as they say in parts of Scotland."
"She replied to all her messages before leaving the office for the day."
How to use messages
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishMore than one message — or, in Scottish/Irish English, "the shopping".
UK vs US
In Scotland and parts of Ireland, "the messages" is everyday slang for groceries or shopping, a usage most other English speakers won’t recognize.
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I checked my phone for new _____.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for messages
See all rhymes for messages →Frequently asked questions
What does “messages” mean?
The word “messages” means plural of message: pieces of communication sent between people. In some dialects, also used to mean groceries or shopping errands. In plain terms, more than one message — or, in Scottish/Irish English, "the shopping".
How do you pronounce “messages”?
“Messages” is pronounced MEHS-ih-jihz (/ˈmɛs.ɪ.d͡ʒɪz/ in IPA).
How do you use “messages” in a sentence?
Here is “messages” used in a sentence: “I checked my phone for new messages.”
What part of speech is “messages”?
“Messages” is a noun.
Is “messages” a common word?
“Messages” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What does 'messages' mean in Scottish and Irish English?
In Scottish and some Irish English, 'the messages' means groceries or shopping errands. 'I'm going for the messages' means going to buy groceries, and 'doing the messages' means running errands. This everyday regional usage sits alongside the standard meaning of communications sent between people.
What is the difference between a message and messages?
'Message' is singular — one piece of communication. 'Messages' is the plural, referring to several. In some dialects, 'messages' also takes on a separate collective meaning of shopping or groceries, which has no common singular form in that sense — you would not call one item a 'message'.
What are examples of messages?
Text messages, emails, voicemails, and handwritten notes are all messages in the standard sense. 'She left three messages' or 'check your messages' are typical uses. In Scotland, by contrast, 'fetching the messages' means collecting the groceries — a distinct regional meaning of the same word.
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