message
Other forms: messages; messaging; messaged
A message is a communication or statement conveyed from one person or group to another. If you call my house phone and I’m out running an errand, you’ll be asked to “please leave a message after the beep.”
Generally transmitted verbally or in writing, a message can also be sent via a look or a gesture. In today’s world, people tend to use email to send a short message. But in ye olden days, pre-internet and when the post was faster, people relied on the art of letter writing to send a message. The noun can also have a moral or pointed implication. For instance, the story's moral message was to always tell the truth.
Definitions of message
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a communication (usually brief) that is written or spoken or signaled“he sent a three-word message”
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types:
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broadcast
message that is transmitted by radio or television
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cipher, cypher
a message written in a secret code
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heliogram
a message transmitted by means of the sun's rays
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mail
the bags of letters and packages that are transported by the postal service
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phone message, telephone message
a message transmitted by telephone
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radiogram
a message transmitted by wireless telegraphy
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dedication, inscription
a short message (as in a book or musical work or on a photograph) dedicating it to someone or something
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telegram, wire
a message transmitted by telegraph
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packet
(computer science) a message or message fragment
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text, text message
a short electronic communication, usually sent from one cellphone to another
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1st class, 1st-class mail, first class, first-class mail
mail that includes letters and postcards and packages sealed against inspection
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express, express mail
mail that is distributed by a rapid and efficient system
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parcel post
postal service that handles packages
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bulk mail
mail consisting of large numbers of identical items (circulars or advertisements) sent to individual addresses at less than 1st-class rates and paid for in one lot
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cable, cablegram, overseas telegram
a telegram sent abroad
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letter telegram
a cheaper form of telegram that is sent abroad for delivery the next day
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third class, third-class mail
mail consisting of printed matter qualifying for reduced postal rates
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rebroadcast
a broadcast that repeated at a later time
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radio broadcast
a broadcast via radio
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simulcast
a broadcast that is carried simultaneously by radio and television (or by FM and AM radio)
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telecast
a television broadcast
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night letter
a cheaper form of telegram sent for delivery the next day
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airmail
letters and packages that are transported by aircraft
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air mail
mail that is sent by air transport
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surface mail
mail that is sent by land or sea
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registered mail, registered post
mail that is registered by the post office when sent in order to assure safe delivery
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special delivery
mail that is delivered by a special carrier (for an additional charge)
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newscast
a broadcast of news or commentary on the news
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type of:
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communication
something that is communicated by or to or between people or groups
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what a communication that is about something is about
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synonyms:
content, subject matter, substance
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types:
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body
the central message of a communication
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corker
(dated slang) a remarkable or excellent thing or person
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reminder
a message that helps you remember something
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petition, postulation, request
a formal message requesting something that is submitted to an authority
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memorial
a written statement of facts submitted in conjunction with a petition to an authority
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latent content
(psychoanalysis) hidden meaning of a fantasy or dream
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subject, theme, topic
the subject matter of a conversation or discussion
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aside, digression, divagation, excursus, parenthesis, tangent
a message that departs from the main subject
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import, meaning, significance, signification
the message that is intended or expressed or signified
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bunk, hokum, meaninglessness, nonsense, nonsensicality
a message that seems to convey no meaning
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drivel, garbage
a worthless message
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acknowledgement, acknowledgment
a statement acknowledging something or someone
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refusal
a message refusing to accept something that is offered
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info, information
a message received and understood
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counsel, counseling, counselling, direction, guidance
something that provides direction or advice as to a decision or course of action
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commitment, dedication
a message that makes a pledge
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approval, commendation
a message expressing a favorable opinion
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disapproval
the expression of disapproval
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respects
(often used with `pay') a formal expression of esteem
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discourtesy, disrespect
an expression of lack of respect
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insertion, interpolation
a message (spoken or written) that is introduced or inserted
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statement
a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc
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statement
a nonverbal message
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humor, humour, wit, witticism, wittiness
a message whose ingenuity or verbal skill or incongruity has the power to evoke laughter
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opinion, view
a message expressing a belief about something; the expression of a belief that is held with confidence but not substantiated by positive knowledge or proof
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direction, instruction
a message describing how something is to be done
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proposal
something proposed (such as a plan or assumption)
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offer, offering
something offered (as a proposal or bid)
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entry, submission
something (manuscripts or architectural plans and models or estimates or works of art of all genres etc.) submitted for the judgment of others (as in a competition)
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narration, narrative, story, tale
a message that tells the particulars of an act or occurrence or course of events; presented in writing or drama or cinema or as a radio or television program
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packaging, promotion, promotional material, publicity
a message issued in behalf of some product or cause or idea or person or institution
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sensationalism
subject matter that is calculated to excite and please vulgar tastes
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shocker
a sensational message (in a film or play or novel)
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guideline, road map
a detailed plan or explanation to guide you in setting standards or determining a course of action
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tearjerker
an excessively sentimental narrative
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sum-up, summary
a brief statement that presents the main points in a concise form
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ammunition
information that can be used to attack or defend a claim or argument or viewpoint
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factoid
something resembling a fact; unverified (often invented) information that is given credibility because it appeared in print
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credits
a list of acknowledgements of those who contributed to the creation of a film (usually run at the end of the film)
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application
a verbal or written request for assistance or employment or admission to a school
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appeal, collection, ingathering, solicitation
request for a sum of money
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receipt
an acknowledgment (usually tangible) that payment has been made
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pleading
(law) a statement in legal and logical form stating something on behalf of a party to a legal proceeding
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bone of contention
the subject of a dispute
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precedent
a subject mentioned earlier (preceding in time)
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lexical meaning
the meaning of a content word that depends on the nonlinguistic concepts it is used to express
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grammatical meaning
the meaning of a word that depends on its role in a sentence; varies with inflectional form
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symbolisation, symbolization
the use of symbols to convey meaning
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sense, signified
the meaning of a word or expression; the way in which a word or expression or situation can be interpreted
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connotation, intension
what you must know in order to determine the reference of an expression
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referent
something referred to; the object of a reference
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burden, core, effect, essence, gist
the central meaning or theme of a speech or literary work
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intent, purport, spirit
the intended meaning of a communication
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lesson, moral
the significance of a story or event
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nicety, nuance, refinement, shade, subtlety
a subtle difference in meaning or opinion or attitude
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overtone
(usually plural) an ulterior implicit meaning or quality
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point
a brief version of the essential meaning of something
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absurdity, absurdness, ridiculousness
a message whose content is at variance with reason
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amphigory, nonsense verse
nonsensical writing (usually verse)
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balderdash, fiddle-faddle, piffle
trivial nonsense
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buzzword, cant
stock phrases that have become nonsense through endless repetition
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cobblers
nonsense
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crock
nonsense; foolish talk
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fa la, fal la
meaningless syllables in the refrain of a partsong
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gibber, gibberish
unintelligible talking
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incoherence, incoherency, unintelligibility
nonsense that is simply incoherent and unintelligible
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jabberwocky
nonsensical language (according to Lewis Carroll)
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flummery, mummery
meaningless ceremonies and flattery
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empty talk, empty words, hot air, palaver, rhetoric
loud and confused and empty talk
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rigamarole, rigmarole
a set of confused and meaningless statements
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schmegegge, shmegegge
(Yiddish) baloney; hot air; nonsense
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hooey, poppycock, stuff, stuff and nonsense
senseless talk
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baloney, bilgewater, boloney, bosh, drool, humbug, taradiddle, tarradiddle, tommyrot, tosh, twaddle
pretentious or silly talk or writing
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buncombe, bunk, bunkum, guff, hogwash, rot
unacceptable behavior (especially ludicrously false statements)
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applesauce, codswallop, folderol, rubbish, trash, tripe, trumpery, wish-wash
nonsensical talk or writing
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pablum, pap
worthless or oversimplified ideas
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farewell, word of farewell
an acknowledgment or expression of goodwill at parting
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greeting, salutation
(usually plural) an acknowledgment or expression of good will (especially on meeting)
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aloha, ciao
an acknowledgment that can be used to say hello or goodbye (aloha is Hawaiian and ciao is Italian)
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handclasp, handshake, handshaking, shake
grasping and shaking a person's hand (as to acknowledge an introduction or to agree on a contract)
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apology
an expression of regret at having caused trouble for someone
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mea culpa
an acknowledgment of your error or guilt
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commiseration, condolence
an expression of sympathy with another's grief
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declination, regrets
a polite refusal of an invitation
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misinformation
information that is incorrect
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material
information (data or ideas or observations) that can be used or reworked into a finished form
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details, inside information
true confidential information
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fact
a statement or assertion of verified information about something that is the case or has happened
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data format, data formatting, format, formatting
the organization of information according to preset specifications (usually for computer processing)
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gen
informal term for information
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database
an organized body of related information
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intelligence, news, tidings, word
information about recent and important events
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news
informal information of any kind that is not previously known to someone
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nuts and bolts
detailed practical information about how something works or how something can be accomplished
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intelligence, intelligence information
secret information about an enemy (or potential enemy)
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confirmation
information that confirms or verifies
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career counseling
counseling on career opportunities
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cynosure
something that provides guidance (as Polaris guides mariners)
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genetic counseling
guidance for prospective parents on the likelihood of genetic disorders in their future children
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marriage counseling
counseling on marital problems and disagreements
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confidential information, hint, lead, steer, tip, wind
an indication of potential opportunity
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insider information
important information about the plans or condition of a corporation that has not been released to the public; use for personal profit is illegal
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rule
any one of a systematic body of regulations defining the way of life of members of a religious order
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prescript, rule
prescribed guide for conduct or action
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rubric
directions for the conduct of Christian church services (often printed in red in a prayer book)
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advice
a proposal for an appropriate course of action
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arcanum, secret
information known only to a special group
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secret
something that should remain hidden from others (especially information that is not to be passed on)
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propaganda
information that is spread for the purpose of promoting some cause
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course of study, curriculum, program, programme, syllabus
an integrated course of academic studies
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news
information reported in a newspaper or news magazine
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oath, swearing
a commitment to tell the truth (especially in a court of law); to lie under oath is to become subject to prosecution for perjury
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affirmation
(religion) a solemn declaration that serves the same purpose as an oath (if an oath is objectionable to the person on religious or ethical grounds)
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approbation
official recognition or approval
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countenance, endorsement, imprimatur, indorsement, sanction, warrant
formal and explicit approval
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credit, recognition
approval
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connivance, secret approval, tacit consent
(law) tacit approval of someone's wrongdoing
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permission
approval to do something
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encouragement
the expression of approval and support
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acclaim, acclamation, eclat, plaudit, plaudits
enthusiastic approval
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applause, clapping, hand clapping
a demonstration of approval by clapping the hands together
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cheer
a cry or shout of approval
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congratulations, extolment, kudos, praise
an expression of approval and commendation
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testimonial, tribute
something given or done as an expression of esteem
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condemnation, disapprobation
an expression of strong disapproval; pronouncing as wrong or morally culpable
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criticism, unfavorable judgment
disapproval expressed by pointing out faults or shortcomings
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abuse, contumely, insult, revilement, vilification
a rude expression intended to offend or hurt
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derision
contemptuous laughter
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ridicule
language or behavior intended to mock or humiliate
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contempt, scorn
open disrespect for a person or thing
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depreciation, derogation, disparagement
a communication that belittles somebody or something
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cheek, impertinence, impudence
an impudent statement
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amendment
a statement that is added to or revises or improves a proposal or document (a bill or constitution etc.)
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thing
a statement regarded as an object
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true statement, truth
a true statement
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description, verbal description
a statement that represents something in words
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declaration
a statement that is emphatic and explicit (spoken or written)
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announcement, annunciation, declaration, proclamation
a formal public statement
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Bill of Rights
a statement of fundamental rights and privileges (especially the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution)
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formula
a conventionalized statement expressing some fundamental principle
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mathematical statement
a statement of a mathematical relation
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evidence
(law) all the means by which any alleged matter of fact whose truth is investigated at judicial trial is established or disproved
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bid, bidding
(bridge) the number of tricks a bridge player is willing to contract to make
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word
a brief statement
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account, explanation
a statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.
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explanandum, explicandum
(logic) a statement of something (a fact or thing or expression) to be explained
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explanans
(logic) statements that explain the explicandum; the explanatory premises
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value statement
a statement of the desirability of something
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representation
a statement of facts and reasons made in appealing or protesting
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answer, resolution, result, solution, solvent
a statement that solves a problem or explains how to solve the problem
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answer, reply, response
a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
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announcement, promulgation
a public statement containing information about an event that has happened or is going to happen
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forecasting, foretelling, prediction, prognostication
a statement made about the future
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proposition
(logic) a statement that affirms or denies something and is either true or false
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quotation
a statement of the current market price of a security or commodity
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falsehood, falsity, untruth
a false statement
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understatement
a statement that is restrained in ironic contrast to what might have been said
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qualification, reservation
a statement that limits or restricts some claim
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cautious statement
a statement made with careful qualifications
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comment, commentary
a written explanation or criticism or illustration that is added to a book or other textual material
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comment, input, remark
a statement that expresses a personal opinion or belief or adds information
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rhetorical question
a statement that is formulated as a question but that is not supposed to be answered
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misstatement
a statement that contains a mistake
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restatement
a revised statement
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agreement, understanding
the statement (oral or written) of an exchange of promises
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condition, term
(usually plural) a statement of what is required as part of an agreement
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jeu d'esprit
a witty comment or writing
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bon mot, mot
a clever remark
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esprit de l'escalier
a witty remark that occurs to you too late
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bite, pungency
wit having a sharp and caustic quality
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caustic remark, irony, sarcasm, satire
witty language used to convey insults or scorn
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repartee
adroitness and cleverness in reply
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gag, jape, jest, joke, laugh
a humorous anecdote or remark intended to provoke laughter
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caricature, imitation, impersonation
a representation of a person that is exaggerated for comic effect
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cartoon, sketch
a humorous or satirical drawing published in a newspaper or magazine
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fun, play, sport
verbal wit or mockery (often at another's expense but not to be taken seriously)
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ribaldry
ribald humor
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topper
an exceedingly good witticism that surpasses all that have gone before
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adverse opinion
an opinion concerning financial statements (usually based on an audit by a CPA) that the statements as a whole do not present results fairly or are not in conformity with the generally accepted accounting practices of the United States
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conjecture, guess, hypothesis, speculation, supposition, surmisal, surmise
a message expressing an opinion based on incomplete evidence
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position, side
an opinion that is held in opposition to another in an argument or dispute
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estimate
a statement indicating the likely cost of some job
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head, question
the subject matter at issue
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misdirection
incorrect directions or instructions
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address, destination, name and address
written directions for finding some location; written on letters or packages that are to be delivered to that location
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markup
detailed stylistic instructions for typesetting something that is to be printed; manual markup is usually written on the copy (e.g. underlining words that are to be set in italics)
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prescription
directions prescribed beforehand; the action of prescribing authoritative rules or directions
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formula, recipe
directions for making something
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rule
directions that define the way a game or sport is to be conducted
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stage direction
an instruction written as part of the script of a play
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style
editorial directions to be followed in spelling and punctuation and capitalization and typographical display
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chemical formula, formula
a representation of a substance using symbols for its constituent elements
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read-out, readout
the information displayed or recorded on an electronic device
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phylactery, tefillin
(Judaism) either of two small leather cases containing texts from the Hebrew Scriptures (known collectively as tefillin); traditionally worn (on the forehead and the left arm) by Jewish men during morning prayer
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tabular matter, tabulation
information set out in tabular form
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blasphemy
blasphemous language (expressing disrespect for God or for something sacred)
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contract offer
offer by an employer to contract to pay an employee at a given rate
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marriage offer, marriage proposal, proposal, proposal of marriage
an offer of marriage
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proposition
an offer for a private bargain (especially a request for sexual favors)
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counterproposal
a proposal offered as an alternative to an earlier proposal
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hypothesis
a proposal intended to explain certain facts or observations
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proffer, proposition, suggestion
a proposal offered for acceptance or rejection
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introduction
a new proposal
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re-introduction
a proposal of something previously rejected
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motion, question
a formal proposal for action made to a deliberative assembly for discussion and vote
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counteroffer
an offer made by someone who has rejected a prior offer
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bid, tender
a formal proposal to buy at a specified price
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prospectus
a formal written offer to sell securities (filed with the SEC) that sets forth a plan for a (proposed) business enterprise
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tender offer
an offer to buy shares in a corporation (usually above the market price) for cash or securities or both
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reward
the offer of money for helping to find a criminal or for returning lost property
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rights issue, rights offering
an offering of common stock to existing shareholders who hold subscription rights or pre-emptive rights that entitle them to buy newly issued shares at a discount from the price at which they will be offered to the public later
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special
a special offering (usually temporary and at a reduced price) that is featured in advertising
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olive branch, peace offering
something offered to an adversary in the hope of obtaining peace
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twofer
an offer of two for the price of one
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filing
the entering of a legal document into the public record
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demand
an urgent or peremptory request
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representation
a factual statement made by one party in order to induce another party to enter into a contract
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declaration
a statement of taxable goods or of dutiable properties
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admission
an acknowledgment of the truth of something
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skinny
confidential information about a topic or person
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stuff
information in some unspecified form
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report, report card
a written evaluation of a student's scholarship and deportment
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tall tale
an improbable (unusual or incredible or fanciful) story
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folk tale, folktale
a tale circulated by word of mouth among the common folk
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sob story, sob stuff
a sentimental story (or drama) of personal distress; designed to arouse sympathy
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fairy story, fairy tale, fairytale
a children's story involving imaginary, magical or fantastical beings or elements
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nursery rhyme
a tale in rhymed verse for children
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promise
a verbal commitment by one person to another agreeing to do (or not to do) something in the future
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assurance
a statement intended to inspire confidence
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assurance, pledge
a binding commitment to do or give or refrain from something
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thanks
an acknowledgment of appreciation
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recital
a detailed statement giving facts and figures
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keynote
the principal theme in a speech or literary work
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buildup
highly favorable publicity and praise
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PR, public relations
a promotion intended to create goodwill for a person or institution
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blurb, endorsement, indorsement
a promotional statement (as found on the dust jackets of books)
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ballyhoo, hoopla, hype, plug
blatant or sensational promotion
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pitch, sales pitch, sales talk
promotion by means of an argument and demonstration
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ad, advert, advertisement, advertising, advertizement, advertizing
a public promotion of some product or service
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sales promotion
promotion that supplements or coordinates advertising
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discouragement
the expression of opposition and disapproval
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system command
a computer user's instruction (not part of a program) that calls for action by the computer's executive program
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negation
a negative statement; a statement that is a refusal or denial of some other statement
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proposition
a suggested law or policy that citizens can vote for or against
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motion
a request to a court for a ruling or order
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type of:
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communication
something that is communicated by or to or between people or groups
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send a message to“She messaged the committee”
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types:
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text
send a brief electronic communication from one cellphone to another
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type of:
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communicate, pass, pass along, pass on, put across
transmit information
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text
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send as a message“She messaged the final report by fax”
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type of:
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communicate, pass, pass along, pass on, put across
transmit information
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communicate, pass, pass along, pass on, put across
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send a message“There is no messaging service at this company”
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type of:
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communicate
be in verbal contact; interchange information or ideas
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communicate
Pronunciation
US
/ˈmɛsɪdʒ/
UK
/ˈmɛsɪdʒ/
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