Meaning & use
messaging
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Meanings
noununcountable
The activity or system of sending short written or recorded notes electronically to another person or group.
Grammar: No plural and no article needed: messaging is quick.
Patterns
- messaging between people
- messaging app
- instant messaging
Messaging is how most of my friends keep in touch during the school day.
The company switched to a new messaging system for its staff.
Instant messaging lets coworkers ask quick questions without sending an email.
noununcountablebusiness
The way an organization or campaign words its key ideas so that the public understands and remembers its position.
Grammar: Often used in business and politics: the party's messaging.
Patterns
- clear messaging
- the messaging around something
The brand's messaging focused on saving time rather than saving money.
Critics said the government's messaging about the new rules was confusing.
Good messaging explains the benefit in one sentence.
Common combinations
- instant messaging
- Instant messaging has largely replaced phone calls in our office.
- messaging app
- I installed a messaging app so I could talk to my family abroad.
- text messaging
- Text messaging is still common in places with weak internet.
- consistent messaging
- The campaign failed because it lacked consistent messaging.
- secure messaging
- The hospital uses secure messaging to share patient updates.
Synonyms and how they differ
- texting
- Texting is narrower and informal, as it usually means phone text messages, whereas messaging also covers apps and workplace platforms.
- chat
- Chat suggests a relaxed, back-and-forth conversation, while messaging can also be a one-way notification.
- communication
- Communication is a much broader word covering speech, writing and everything else, and is not limited to electronic notes.
Word family
Commonly confused: messaging or massaging?
messaging vs massaging
Massaging means rubbing muscles to relieve tension. It looks similar on the page but has nothing to do with sending notes.
Practice
The marketing team worked on its ___ so that customers would grasp the product's main benefit at once.
Choose one answer.
Messaging here means the way key ideas are worded for the public. Massaging is a look-alike word about rubbing muscles, so it does not fit.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “messaging”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.