Origin: French suffix -age
Message has 7 different meanings across 2 categories:
a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled
"he sent a three-word message"
what a communication that is about something is about
"The main message of his speech was that we need to act now before it's too late."
A communication, or what is communicated; any concept or information conveyed.
"The teacher's message was clear that everyone needed to submit their homework by Friday morning."
In plain English: A message is information that someone sends to another person, usually through words or signals.
"She left a note on the table to remind me about the meeting."
Usage: Use "message" to refer to the specific idea, instruction, or piece of information being shared within a communication. Do not use it interchangeably with "letter" or "email," as those terms denote the physical or digital medium rather than the content itself.
To send a message to; to transmit a message to, e.g. as text via a cell phone.
"I'll message you later when I get home from work."
In plain English: To message someone means to send them a text or digital note using your phone or computer.
"I need to message my boss to tell him I'm running late."
Usage: Use "message" as a verb when you want to say you are sending a text or digital communication directly to someone on their device. It specifically replaces phrases like "send a text" in informal contexts where the medium is understood from the situation.
The word "message" entered Middle English via the Old French form message and Early Medieval Latin missāticum, which were derived from the Latin verb mittere meaning "to send." This lineage traces back to a Proto-Indo-European root for exchanging things, while the term gradually replaced the native Old English word ærende.