comms: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Medium to High in specific contexts (military, tech, business). Low in formal or general writing.Informal, Technical, Professional Slang.
Quick answer
What does “comms” mean?
An informal clipping of 'communications', referring to the systems, methods, and activities involved in sending and receiving information.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An informal clipping of 'communications', referring to the systems, methods, and activities involved in sending and receiving information.
The professional field, technical infrastructure, or dedicated equipment for transmitting information (e.g., radio, network systems). Informally, can refer to general communication between people.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both use the term similarly in tech/military contexts. Slightly more prevalent in UK business jargon.
Connotations
Neutral/technical in both. Can sound slightly jargony in non-technical settings.
Frequency
Comparable frequency in professional spheres; rare in everyday casual conversation in both.
Grammar
How to Use “comms” in a Sentence
establish/restore/lose comms (with someone)comms between A and Bcomms for the projectcomms via satelliteVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “comms” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We need to comms that plan to HQ immediately.
- I'll comms you the details.
American English
- Comms the team with an update.
- He commsed the coordinates to the pilot.
adjective
British English
- The comms equipment failed.
- She's the new comms manager.
American English
- We have a comms issue on floor three.
- Check the comms protocol.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Refers to internal/corporate communication strategies and departments.
Academic
Rare. Might appear in papers on information technology or media studies.
Everyday
Uncommon. Might be used humorously or by people in relevant professions (e.g., 'The comms with the kids are breaking down').
Technical
Standard term in IT, engineering, military, and space operations for communication systems.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “comms”
Strong
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “comms”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “comms”
- Using it as a countable plural in technical contexts (e.g., 'three comms' sounds odd). Using in overly formal writing. Confusing with 'coms' or 'comes' in spelling.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is usually treated as a singular uncountable noun in technical contexts (e.g., 'Comms is vital'). In more general business contexts, it can be used as a plural (e.g., 'Our comms are effective').
No, it is considered informal or professional jargon. Use 'communications' or 'communication systems' in formal documents.
'Comms' is broader, covering any communication (including internal business, military signals). 'Telecoms' (telecommunications) specifically refers to technology over distance (phones, internet).
It is highly informal, professional slang (e.g., in IT or military). It is not standard and should be avoided in most contexts. Use 'communicate', 'send', or 'transmit' instead.
An informal clipping of 'communications', referring to the systems, methods, and activities involved in sending and receiving information.
Comms: in British English it is pronounced /kɒmz/, and in American English it is pronounced /kɑːmz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “comms are up/down”
- “a comms blackout”
- “on comms (being in communication)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'COMMS' as a short, sharp COMMAND for COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNICATION IS A CONDUIT / CHANNEL ('establish a comms link', 'comms are down').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'comms' LEAST likely to be used appropriately?