courier
B1Neutral to formal in its professional sense; informal in travel contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A person or company employed to deliver messages, packages, or mail, especially with speed or urgency.
In travel, a guide or representative of a travel company who assists and advises tourists. In computing, a common name for typefaces or email services. Also used historically for a diplomatic messenger.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily denotes a human agent or a company, not the vehicle itself. Has shifted from historical/military contexts (diplomatic courier) to modern commercial logistics and travel industries.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slight spelling preference: British English is more likely to use 'courier' for a company (e.g., DHL courier). In AmE, 'delivery service' or 'delivery driver' is common for local, less urgent parcels. 'Courier' often implies speed/urgency in AmE.
Connotations
UK: Strongly associated with companies like 'DX', 'CitySprint', or bike messengers. US: Often implies premium service (e.g., FedEx overnight courier) or diplomatic contexts. In travel, both use 'courier' similarly.
Frequency
More frequent in UK English for routine package delivery services. In US English, often reserved for express, premium, or specialized services.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
send something by couriercourier something to someonework as a courieruse a courier serviceVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
'Please courier the signed contracts to our head office by 5 PM.'
Academic
'The treaty was transported under guard by a diplomatic courier.'
Everyday
'I'll book a courier to pick up the parcel from your house.'
Technical
'The courier script ensures secure file transfer between servers.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- We'll courier the documents to you tomorrow.
- Can you courier this over to the London office?
American English
- They courtered the prototype overnight to the client.
- I need this courtered to the West Coast by Friday.
adjective
British English
- It was a courier delivery, not standard post.
- She works for a courier firm.
American English
- Use the courier envelope for sensitive documents.
- We offer courier-level tracking.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The courier brought a parcel.
- He is a bike courier in the city.
- I sent the book by courier because it was urgent.
- The travel courier met us at the airport.
- We hired a diplomatic courier to transport the sensitive files securely.
- The courier service guarantees delivery before 9 AM.
- The software update was courtered to regional offices to avoid interception over the network.
- Acting as a courier of information, she facilitated the clandestine negotiations.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of COURier as someone who takes a COURse or route to deliver something urgently. Sounds like 'carry-er'.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPEED IS URGENCY (courier service), HUMAN AS CHANNEL (information courier).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'курьер' (correct) and 'курс' (course). Also, Russian 'курьер' can refer to a low-level office messenger, while English 'courier' often implies a professional logistics role.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'courier' to mean the package itself (incorrect: 'The courier has arrived' meaning the package). Using it as a general synonym for 'postman' (a courier is typically for urgent or specific items).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'courier' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, commonly in business English (e.g., 'We will courier the samples to you'). It means to send or deliver by courier.
A postal worker works for the national postal service and follows a fixed route. A courier is usually employed by a private company for specific, often urgent, deliveries, and may not have a fixed route.
Yes. It can refer to the individual delivering the item (a motorcycle courier) or the company providing the service (DHL is a major courier).
It is neutral. In logistics, it's standard professional terminology. In everyday language, it's common when discussing sending packages urgently.