verb
Common
SMS
ehs-ehm-EHS
SMS (verb) means to send a text message to someone's mobile phone. Example: “Just sms me the address when you get there.”
verb
1
To send a text message to someone's mobile phone.
"I SMSed him and asked why he was late."
"Just sms me the address when you get there."
"I can't talk to her: she is too busy SMSing her friends."
noun
1
A short text message sent between mobile phones (Short Message Service).
"She got an sms confirming her appointment time."
How to use SMS
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA text message, or the act of sending one, via mobile phone.
UK vs US
In the US, "text" is far more common as both noun and verb; "sms" as a verb is more typical outside North America.
Common pairings
send an sms
sms message
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- SMSes
- Past tense
- SMSed, SMS'd
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Just _____ me the address when you get there.
Etymology
An initialism for Short Message Service, the mobile-phone protocol used to send short text messages.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “SMS” mean?
The word “SMS” means to send a text message to someone's mobile phone. In plain terms, a text message, or the act of sending one, via mobile phone.
How do you pronounce “SMS”?
“SMS” is pronounced ehs-ehm-EHS (/ˌɛs ɛm ˈɛs/ in IPA).
How do you use “SMS” in a sentence?
Here is “SMS” used in a sentence: “Just sms me the address when you get there.”
What part of speech is “SMS”?
Depending on how it is used, “SMS” can be a verb and a noun.
Is “SMS” a common word?
“SMS” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “SMS” have?
“SMS” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to send a text message to someone's mobile phone.
Is SMS used as a verb?
Yes, SMS can be used as a verb meaning to send a text message to someone's mobile phone, as in "I'll SMS you later."
What is the difference between SMS and a text message?
SMS stands for Short Message Service and is the technical name for the system, while "text message" is the everyday name for the message it sends; the two terms are often used interchangeably.
What is the difference between SMS and MMS?
SMS refers to short text-only messages sent between mobile phones, while MMS (Multimedia Messaging Service) allows photos, videos, and other media to be included.
