Courier: meaning, definitions and examples

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courier

 

[ หˆkสŠr.i.ษ™r ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

delivery service

A person or company that delivers messages, packages, or mail. Couriers are often used for fast and reliable delivery services.

Synonyms

carrier, delivery person, messenger.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
courier

Use when referring to a professional service that typically delivers urgent or important packages or documents.

  • I sent the legal documents via courier to ensure they arrive on time.
  • The courier service guarantees delivery within 24 hours.
messenger

Typically refers to someone who delivers messages or documents, often used in formal or historical contexts.

  • In ancient times, a messenger was sent to convey important news.
  • He works as a bike messenger in the city, delivering documents promptly.
delivery person

Best used when referring to an individual person who delivers packages, especially in a casual or everyday context.

  • The delivery person left the package at my doorstep.
  • I thanked the delivery person for bringing my groceries so quickly.
carrier

Appropriate for referring to a company or an agency that transports goods or people over long distances.

  • The carrier lost my luggage during the flight.
  • We chose a reputable carrier to ship our products internationally.

Examples of usage

  • The courier delivered the package within 24 hours.
  • I need to send this document urgently, can you call a courier?
Context #2 | Noun

historical context

In the past, a person who would carry important messages or documents over long distances. Couriers played a crucial role in communication before the invention of modern technology.

Synonyms

dispatcher, messenger, runner.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
courier

Use this term when referring to a service or person responsible for delivering packages and documents, often professionally and over longer distances.

  • The courier delivered the package to my office on time.
  • She works as a courier for an international logistics company.
messenger

Typically denotes someone who delivers messages, letters, or documents, and is often used in formal or historical contexts.

  • He worked as a messenger for the court in medieval times.
  • The messenger handed her an important letter.
runner

Refers to someone who runs errands or makes deliveries, often used informally or in specific contexts like sports or trading.

  • The office runner delivered the files to each department.
  • Back in the day, traders used runners to deliver stock exchange orders.

Examples of usage

  • During wartime, couriers were used to deliver secret messages.
  • The courier rode on horseback to deliver the message to the next town.

Translations

Translations of the word "courier" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น mensageiro

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค•เฅ‚เคฐเคฟเคฏเคฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Kurier

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ kurir

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะบัƒั€'ั”ั€

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ kurier

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅฎ…้…ไพฟ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท courrier

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ mensajero

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท kurye

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ํƒ๋ฐฐ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุณุงุนูŠ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ kurรฝr

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ kuriรฉr

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅฟซ้€’ๅ‘˜

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ kurir

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ sendiboรฐi

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะบัƒั€ัŒะตั€

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ™แƒฃแƒ แƒ˜แƒ”แƒ แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ kuryer

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ mensajero

Etymology

The word 'courier' originated from the Middle French word 'courrier', which means 'messenger'. It has been used since the 16th century to refer to individuals or services that deliver messages or packages. Couriers have been an essential part of communication and transportation throughout history, providing a reliable and efficient means of delivering important information.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,649, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.