What is message? Pronunciation and usage in English

message means . Learn how to pronounce and use message through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of message

messagenoun

/ˈmɛsɪdʒ/
Definition & pronunciation of message

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "message" in English. It’s a tricky one for some learners! Here’s a breakdown:

The Most Common and Generally Accepted Pronunciation:

  • ˈmesɪdʒ (rhymes with "messy" or "kissed")

Let's break that down syllable by syllable:

  1. "mes-" – This part sounds like "mess." Think of the word "messy."
  2. "-idʒ" - This is the tricky part! It's often pronounced like the "s" in "vision" or the "j" in "judge.” It's a sound that doesn’t exist in many other languages, so it can be a hurdle. It’s a voiceless postalveolar fricative.

Tips for Pronouncing it Correctly:

  • Focus on the “idʒ” sound: This is the key. Practice saying “messy” and then add a slight “j” sound at the end.
  • Don't say "mass-age": This is a very common mistake. The "e" at the end doesn't make it sound like the word "age."
  • Listen to native speakers: The best way to learn is to hear it pronounced correctly. You can find many examples online:

To recap: "Message" is pronounced ˈmesɪdʒ (like "messy" + "j").

Do you want me to:

  • Say the word aloud?
  • Give you some practice words to help you with the "idʒ" sound?

Usage and examples with the word message in English

Let's break down how to use the word "message" in English. It's a really versatile word with a lot of different meanings! Here's a breakdown, categorized for clarity:

1. As a Communication (Most Common Usage)

  • A written or spoken communication: This is the most frequent use.
    • "I received a message from my friend." (a text, email, etc.)
    • "The doctor sent a message to the hospital." (a phone call, instructions)
    • "He left a message on my voicemail."
    • "Please read the message carefully."
    • "She sent me a quick message."

2. As a Concept or Idea

  • An idea or feeling being conveyed: This is where it gets a bit more figurative.
    • "The leader's message was one of hope." (A hopeful idea)
    • "His words held a powerful message about the importance of friendship."
    • "The film's message was about overcoming adversity." (The central theme or moral)

3. As a Physical Item (Less Common)

  • A physical note or card:
    • "She wrote a message on a piece of paper."
    • "He received a message in a bottle." (Very old-fashioned but still used)

4. Specific Contexts

  • Medical – A Doctor’s Report: "The lab returned a message about your blood test."
  • Computer – A System Alert: "I received a message from the computer about low disk space."
  • Military – A Signal: "The soldiers transmitted a coded message."
  • Religious – A Divine Revelation: “The prophet delivered a message from God.”

Here’s a breakdown of how to use "message" with different parts of speech:

  • Noun: (Most common) – The message was important.
  • Verb: (Less frequent) - To message someone means to send them a text, email, or direct message. “I’ll message you later.”
  • Adjective: (Rare) – You can sometimes use “message” as an adjective, though it’s not very common. For example, "a message system" (a system for sending messages).

Here are some example sentences demonstrating a range of uses:

  • "I just got a message from my sister—she’s coming to visit!" (Communication)
  • "The artist’s work carries a strong message about environmental conservation." (Concept)
  • "The support team sent a message explaining how to fix the problem." (Communication)
  • “The sunset sent a beautiful message of peace and tranquility.” (Concept – metaphorical)

Resources to Help You Learn More:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you thinking about using "message" in? (e.g., writing an email, discussing a book, talking about a movie, etc.)

Synonyms for the word message

Idioms of the word message

get the message
(informal)to understand what somebody is trying to tell you indirectly
  • When he started looking at his watch, I got the message and left.
on/off message
stating/not stating the official view of the political party or organization you represent

    Practice with vocabulary message

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. The urgent email ____ from the CEO informed all staff about the unexpected office closure.
    2. If I'm unavailable, please feel free to leave a detailed voicemail ____ after the beep.
    3. The quarterly financial ____ presented a comprehensive overview of the company's performance and future projections.
    4. All employees received an important security ____ regarding best practices for protecting sensitive data.

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

    1. Which of the following is typically a short piece of information sent electronically? a) a dissertation b) a message c) a text d) an epistle
    2. What might a speaker or author include to convey a deeper meaning or moral lesson? a) a plot b) a message c) a theme d) a narrative
    3. If you miss a phone call, what can the caller often leave for you to listen to later? a) a conversation b) a message c) a dial tone d) a voicemail
    4. The rapid ____ of data across continents is facilitated by modern fiber-optic networks. a) transmission b) reception c) delivery d) dispatch
    5. Before the board meeting, we need to finalize the project's current status ____ for the stakeholders. a) summary b) brief c) report d) update

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. Could you please inform him that the meeting has been moved to next Tuesday? (Rewrite using "message")
    2. The organization aims to communicate a clear and concise idea to its members about its updated mission statement. (Rewrite using "message" or a related word form)
    3. Following the incident, the safety department provided a detailed explanation of the new evacuation procedures. (Rewrite, but do not use "message"; use a suitable replacement word)

    Answer:

    Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

    1. message
    2. message
    3. report
    4. notification (or alert)

    Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

    1. b) a message, c) a text
    2. b) a message, c) a theme (also a) a moral if the context is about direct teaching)
    3. b) a message, d) a voicemail
    4. a) transmission, b) reception, d) dispatch (c) delivery could also be argued but is often more physical)
    5. a) summary, b) brief, c) report, d) update

    Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

    1. Could you please give him the message that the meeting has been moved to next Tuesday?
    2. The organization aims to communicate a clear and concise message to its members about its updated mission statement.
    3. Following the incident, the safety department provided a detailed briefing on the new evacuation procedures. (Other possible answers: report, statement, summary)

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