What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
messenger
Example
The messenger delivered the important documents to the CEO. [messenger: noun]
Example
She acted as a messenger between the two departments to resolve the issue. [messenger: noun]
postman
Example
The postman delivers the mail to our house every day. [postman: noun]
Example
I need to send this package, can you wait for the postman to come? [postman: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Postman is more commonly used than messenger in everyday language. Postman is a well-known profession that has been around for centuries, while messenger is a more general term that can refer to various types of delivery personnel.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between messenger and postman?
Both messenger and postman are relatively informal terms, but postman may be considered slightly more formal due to its association with a government-run postal service.