messenger
A person who takes a message or package from one person to another.
A person whose job or role is to deliver messages, packages, or other information from one place or person to another.
A program on a phone or computer for sending and getting messages quickly.
A computer or mobile application used for sending and receiving text, voice, or video messages in real time.
An animal that takes a message from one place to another.
An animal, such as a pigeon or dog, trained to carry messages from one place to another.
Something that shows what will happen soon or brings important news.
Something or someone that serves as a sign of what is going to happen or brings important news, often used figuratively.
- Base: messenger
- Plural: messengers
Facebook Messenger
1Facebook's chat application
A messaging app made by Facebook for sending texts, photos, and videos.
- She sent me a note on Facebook Messenger.
- We had a long call over Facebook Messenger last night.
instant messenger
1Real-time text chat software
A computer program that lets people send and get text messages quickly over the internet.
- We still use an instant messenger at work for quick questions.
- Instant messengers were very popular in the early 2000s.
shoot the messenger
1Blame bearer of bad news
To get angry with the person who tells you bad news, not the person who caused it.
- Don't shoot the messenger—I’m just telling you what I heard.
- She shot the messenger when I told her about the budget cuts.
shoot the messenger
2Blame bearer of bad news
To be angry at the person who tells you bad news, instead of the person or thing that caused it.
- Don't shoot the messenger—I'm just telling you what happened.
- She shot the messenger when I told her about the budget cuts.