instant messaging

noun

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

Similar
IM
Ask AI about this wordChatGPTClaudePerplexityGoogle AIGrok

Meanings

instant messaging1

nouninstant messaging (uncountable)
  1. uncountablecommunicationA form of realtime communication where two or more people exchange text messages, usually short, using computers or other devices with communications capabilities.

    Synonyms: IM

instant messaging2

verb
  1. gerundparticiplepresentpresent participle and gerund of instant message

Synonyms & antonyms

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

Similar
IM

Origin

instant messaging · noun

From instant + messaging.

Full word history & related roots →

instant messaging · verb

From instant message (verb) + -ing.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Chinese Mandarin 即時通訊 /即时通讯, 即時通信 /即时通信
  • 即時通訊 /即时通讯 (jíshí tōngxùn)form of realtime communication
  • 即時通信 /即时通信 (jíshí tōngxìn)form of realtime communication
Esperanto tujmesaĝado
  • tujmesaĝadoform of realtime communication
Finnish pikaviestintä
  • pikaviestintäform of realtime communication
French messagerie instantanée
  • messagerie instantanéeform of realtime communication
German Messaging
  • Messagingform of realtime communication
Greek πρόγραμμα ανταλλαγής αμέσων μηνυμάτων
  • πρόγραμμα ανταλλαγής αμέσων μηνυμάτων (prógramma antallagís améson minymáton)form of realtime communication
Hungarian azonnaliüzenet-küldés
  • azonnaliüzenet-küldésform of realtime communication
Japanese インスタントメッセージ
  • インスタントメッセージ (insutanto messēji)form of realtime communication
Korean 인스턴트 메신저
  • 인스턴트 메신저 (inseuteonteu mesinjeo)form of realtime communication
Polish natychmiastowe przesyłanie komunikatów
  • natychmiastowe przesyłanie komunikatówform of realtime communication
Portuguese mensageiro instantâneo
  • mensageiro instantâneoform of realtime communication
Spanish mensajería instantánea
  • mensajería instantáneaform of realtime communication
Cite this entry
APA

instant messaging. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/instant%20messaging

MLA

“instant messaging.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/instant%20messaging. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “instant messaging,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/instant%20messaging.

Source: instant messaging on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.