Phrase guide

instant messaging

noun · verb · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A form of realtime communication where two or more people exchange text messages, usually short, using computers or other devices with communications capabilities.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

Topics: communication, communications, computing, engineering, mathematics, natural-sciences, physical-sciences, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: IM

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

present participle and gerund of instant message

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: form-of, gerund, participle, present

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From instant + messaging.

From instant message (verb) + -ing.

Across languages

Translations

15 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 即時通訊 /即时通讯 (jíshí tōngxùn) — form of realtime communication
  • Chinese Mandarin: 即時通信 /即时通信 (jíshí tōngxìn) — form of realtime communication
  • Esperanto: tujmesaĝado — form of realtime communication
  • Finnish: pikaviestintä — form of realtime communication
  • French: messagerie instantanée — form of realtime communication
  • Galician: mensaxería instantánea — form of realtime communication
  • German: Messaging — form of realtime communication
  • Greek: πρόγραμμα ανταλλαγής αμέσων μηνυμάτων (prógramma antallagís améson minymáton) — form of realtime communication
  • Hungarian: azonnaliüzenet-küldés — form of realtime communication
  • Japanese: インスタントメッセージ (insutanto messēji) — form of realtime communication
  • Korean: 인스턴트 메신저 (inseuteonteu mesinjeo) — form of realtime communication
  • Polish: natychmiastowe przesyłanie komunikatów — form of realtime communication
  • Portuguese: mensageiro instantâneo — form of realtime communication
  • Spanish: mensajería instantánea — form of realtime communication
  • Zhuang: dangseiz doengsaenq — form of realtime communication