4 PHRASAL VERB If you mess someone around or mess them about , you treat them badly, for example by not being honest with them, or by continually changing plans which affect them. [mainly BRIT ] □ [V n P ] I think they've been messed around far too much.
▸ mess up
1 PHRASAL VERB If you mess something up or if you mess up , you cause something to fail or be spoiled. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n P ] When politicians mess things up, it is the people who pay the price. □ [V P n] He had messed up one career. □ [V P ] If I messed up, I would probably be fired.
2 PHRASAL VERB If you mess up a place or a thing, you make it untidy or dirty. [INFORMAL ] □ [V P n] They probably didn't want to mess up their hair. [Also V n P ]
3 PHRASAL VERB If something messes someone up , it causes them to be very confused or worried, or to have psychological problems. [INFORMAL ] □ [V n P ] That really messed them up, especially the boys. [Also V P n]
▸ mess with PHRASAL VERB If you tell someone not to mess with a person or thing, you are warning them not to get involved with that person or thing. □ [V P n] You are messing with people's religion and they don't like that. □ [V P n] Do you know who you're messing with–do you know who I am? SYNONYMS mess NOUN 1
untidiness: The untidiness in her room no longer bothered her.
disorder: Inside all was disorder: drawers fallen out, shoes and boots scattered.
clutter: Caroline prefers her worktops to be clear of clutter.
disarray: He found the room in disarray, with food dumped on the floor and drawers pulled open.
mes|sage ◆◆◇ /me s I dʒ/ (messages , messaging , messaged )
1 N‑COUNT A message is a piece of information or a request that you send to someone or leave for them when you cannot speak to them directly. □ I got a message you were trying to reach me. □ Would you like to leave a message?
2 N‑COUNT [usu sing] The message that someone is trying to communicate, for example in a book or play, is the idea or point that they are trying to communicate. □ The report's message was unequivocal. □ I think they got the message that this is wrong.
3 VERB If you message someone, you send them a message electronically using a computer or another device such as a mobile phone. □ [V ] People who message a lot feel unpopular if they don't get many back. □ [V n] She messaged him saying she wished they were together. SYNONYMS message NOUN
1
note: I'll have to leave a note for Karen.
communication: The ambassador has brought a communication from the President.
memo: Did you get the memo about opening hours?
2
point: The following tale will clearly illustrate this point.
meaning: Unsure of the meaning of this remark, Ryle chose to remain silent.
theme: The need to strengthen the family has been a recurrent theme for the Prime Minister.
import: I have already spoken about the import of his speech.
^mes|sage ^board (message boards ) N‑COUNT In computing, a message board is a system that allows users to send and receive messages of general interest. [COMPUTING ] □ Have your say on our message board by clicking here.
mes|sag|ing /me s I dʒ I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Messaging is the sending of written or spoken messages using a computer or another electronic device such as a mobile phone. □ Messaging allows real-time communication by keyboard with up to five people at any one time.
mes|sen|ger /me s I ndʒə r / (messengers ) N‑COUNT [oft by N ] A messenger takes a message to someone, or takes messages regularly as their job. □ There will be a messenger at the airport to collect the photographs from our courier.
me s|sen|ger boy (messenger boys ) N‑COUNT A messenger boy is a boy who is employed to take messages to people.
me ss hall (mess halls ) N‑COUNT A mess hall is a large room where a particular group of people, especially members of the armed forces, eat meals together.
mes|si|ah /m I sa I ə/ (messiahs ) also Messiah
1 N‑PROPER For Jews, the Messiah is the King of the Jews, who will be sent to them by God.
2 N‑PROPER For Christians, the Messiah is Jesus Christ.
3 N‑COUNT If you refer to someone as a messiah , you mean that they are expected to do wonderful things, especially to rescue people from a very difficult or dangerous situation, or that they are thought to have done these things. □ People saw Mandela as their messiah.
mes|si|an|ic /me siæ n I k/ also Messianic
1 ADJ [ADJ n] Messianic means relating to the belief that a divine being has been born, or will be born, who will change the world. □ The cult leader saw himself as a Messianic figure.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Messianic means relating to the belief that there will be a complete change in the social order in a country or in the world. □ The defeated radicals of the French Revolution were the first to have this messianic vision in 1794.
Messrs /me sə r z/ in AM, use Messrs. N‑TITLE Messrs is used before the names of two or more men as part of the name of a business. [BRIT ] □ The repairs were to be done by Messrs Clegg & Sons of Balham.
messy /me si/ (messier , messiest )