You type a text, glance at the screen, and stop: message or messege? It happens to a lot of people, and it is easy to see why. The word is said so often that we rarely look at how it is written.
Message or Messege?: The correct spelling is message (M-E-S-S-A-G-E). “Messege” is not an English word. It is a common misspelling.
Other forms: messages (plural), messaged (past), messaging (-ing form, the “e” is dropped).
Below you will find every form of the word spelled correctly, the reason “messege” feels right, a simple spelling rule, the difference between message and massage, and a short quiz.
How to Spell Message, Messages, Messaging and Messaged
Many people search for the spelling of the other forms, not only the base word. Here they all are in one place:
| Form | Correct spelling | Example |
| Singular noun | message | I got your message. |
| Plural noun | messages | She has ten new messages. |
| Verb (present) | message / messages | I message her every day. He messages me at night. |
| Verb (past) | messaged | I messaged him yesterday. |
| -ing form | messaging | We are messaging each other. |
| Person who carries one | messenger | The messenger arrived early. |
Note on “messaging”: it has two S’s and one G, and no “e” before the “-ing”. The silent final “e” of message is dropped when you add -ing, just like make becomes making. So messaging is correct, and “messageing” and “messegeing” are both wrong.
Why “Messege” Looks Right (and Why It Is Not)
1. The ending sounds like “-ij”
Say the word out loud: MESS-ij. The second syllable is weak and quiet, so your ear cannot tell whether it is written with an a or an e. In English, many unstressed vowels sound alike, so spelling has to be memorized.
2. Other words really do end in “-ege”
Words such as college and privilege end in -ege and also sound like “-ij”. Because those words exist, “messege” looks believable.
3. The first syllable is just “mess”
The start of the word sounds exactly like mess, and the brain fills in the rest on autopilot.
Where the Word Comes From
English borrowed message from Old French. The French word goes back to Medieval Latin missaticum, which comes from the Latin missus, meaning “sent.” The idea of “something that is sent” is still the heart of the word. The ending -age is a French suffix that English uses in hundreds of words.
The Simple Rule: Think “-age”
Most English words that end in the sound “-ij” are spelled -age. If you remember that pattern, “message” becomes easy to spell.
| Word | Ending |
| message | -age |
| passage | -age |
| package | -age |
| village, cottage | -age |
| damage, usage | -age |
| manage, image | -age |
The few common “-ege” words, such as college and privilege, are exceptions that you simply learn one by one. “Message” is not one of them.
3 Easy Ways to Remember the Spelling
- “A message has an A.” The last syllable has a, not e. Think mess + age.
- Split it in two. Say mess and age separately while you type: mess + age = message. Typing it in two chunks stops your fingers from guessing the ending.
- Link it to similar words. If you can spell package, passage, and damage, you already know the ending of message.
Message vs Massage: Don’t Mix Them Up
Another common mix-up is message versus massage. They are different words with different meanings.
| Message | Massage | |
| Meaning | Information sent to someone | Rubbing and pressing the body to relax muscles |
| Spelling | mess-age | mass-age |
| Stress | First syllable: MESS-ij | Differs by region: US “muh-SAHZH”, UK “MASS-ahzh” |
| Example | I sent her a message. | I booked a back massage. |
Watch out: a spell-checker will not flag “I need a massage from my boss” if you meant “message”. Both are real words, so always check meaning as well as spelling.
What Does “Message” Mean?
Message is a noun and a verb, and it has several meanings:
- A piece of communication sent from one person to another (spoken, written, or digital). Please leave a message after the beep.
- A text, DM, or notification on a phone or app. I’ll send you a message on WhatsApp.
- The main idea behind something. The message of the film is about kindness.
- A system notice on a device. An error message appeared on the screen.
- As a verb: to contact someone by message. Message me when you arrive.
Message as a Verb
Older grammar books treated message mainly as a noun, but today it is fully accepted as a verb, especially in digital contexts. You can say “I messaged her” or “He is messaging me.” The spelling rules above apply exactly the same way.
Common Phrases With “Message”
| Phrase | Meaning |
| get the message | understand a hint or warning |
| take a message | write down information for someone who is not available |
| leave a message | record or write information for someone to read later |
| text message | a short message sent by phone |
| voice message | a recorded audio message |
| direct message (DM) | a private message on social media |
| error message | a notice that something went wrong |
| key message | the most important point to communicate |
| message in a bottle | a note sent in a sealed bottle, usually across the sea |
| on message / off message | staying with, or straying from, an agreed line (political and business use) |
Other Misspellings to Avoid
“Messege” is not the only wrong version. These are also incorrect:
- mesage (only one S)
- messge (missing the “a”)
- messeage (extra “e”)
- messageing (the “e” should be dropped)
- messging (missing the “a”)
The short form msg is acceptable in notes and labels, but not in formal writing.
Examples in Sentences
- “I received your message, thank you.”
- “She sent three messages before noon.”
- “He messaged me to say he was running late.”
- “We use a messaging app to stay in touch.”
- “The message of the speech was clear: be kind.”
- “An error message popped up when I tried to log in.”
Does the Spelling Matter?
In a quick text to a friend, nobody will mind. But in a job application, a business email, a school assignment, or a website, a misspelling of a common word is one of the first things readers notice, and it can make the writer look careless. Also, search engines and spell-checkers treat “messege” as an error.
Quick Quiz: Spell It Right
Pick the correct spelling, then click the question to check.
1. Which is correct: “message” or “messege”?
2. The plural of message is…
3. Which is correct: “messaging” or “messageing”?
4. “I ____ her an hour ago.” (messaged / messeged)
5. “I need a back ____ after the gym.” (message / massage)
6. Which ending is common in package, passage, and message?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it message or messege?
It is message. “Messege” is a misspelling and is not found in English dictionaries.
How do you spell messaging?
Spell it m-e-s-s-a-g-i-n-g. Drop the final “e” of message before adding -ing.
How do you spell messages?
Messages: m-e-s-s-a-g-e-s. Add an “s” to the end of message.
What is the past tense of message?
The past tense is messaged, as in “I messaged him yesterday.”
Does “messege” mean anything in another language?
Not in English. It is simply an error, so avoid it in any English writing.
Why does my phone keep changing “message” to “messege”?
You may have accidentally saved the wrong spelling to your phone’s dictionary or text shortcuts. On iPhone, check Settings > General > Keyboard > Text Replacement and delete the wrong entry. On Android, open your keyboard’s settings and look for the personal or user dictionary. The exact menu names depend on your phone and keyboard app.
What is the difference between message and massage?
A message is information sent to someone. A massage is a body treatment that rubs and presses the muscles.
Is “messege” acceptable in casual texting?
People will usually understand you, but it is still a misspelling. In school, work, and professional writing, use message.
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The Bottom Line
The correct spelling is message, and “messege” is always wrong. Remember that most words that end in the “-ij” sound are spelled -age (package, passage, damage), and you can build every other form from there: messages, messaged, and messaging. Keep “a message has an A” in mind, and you will not have to stop and double-check it again.
