Reading Theme:
Courier Definition, Examples & Usage Guide (2 meaning)
Meaning 1：delivery person (courier)
courier
/ˈkʊriər/
n.
a person whose job is to carry and deliver messages and packages
delivery person
➕
/dɪˈlɪvəri ˈpɜːrsən/
n.
A person employed to carry and deliver messages, packages, or documents, often traveling by bike, motorcycle, or vehicle.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'currere' (to run) → Old French 'courrier' → English 'courier', one who runs to deliver.
💡 Mnemonic
Imagine a 'courier' as a 'carrier' who 'runs' (currere) to deliver your package on time.
📖 Example
I ordered the book online, and the courier delivered it right to my doorstep this morning.
I ordered the book online, and the courier delivered it right to my doorstep this morning.
🔗 Collocations
bicycle courier – A courier who uses a bicycle for urban deliveries.
courier service – A business or organization that provides courier deliveries.
send by courier – To dispatch a package or document using a professional courier.
🔄 Synonyms
messenger (n.) – A person who carries a message or is employed to carry messages.
delivery driver (n.) – A person whose job is to drive a vehicle to deliver goods.
dispatch rider (n.) – A motorcyclist who delivers urgent documents or packages.
🚫 Antonyms
🌱 Derivatives
courier (v.) – To send or deliver something via courier service.
couriered (adj.) – Past tense of courier as a verb, meaning sent by courier.
couriering (n.) – The act of working as a courier or delivering items.
📖 Cultural Story
The word 'courier' traces back to the Latin verb 'currere' meaning 'to run', reflecting the speed historically required for message delivery. In modern business, courier services like FedEx and DHL have become essential for global e-commerce, symbolizing reliability and rapid transit.
Meaning 2：fast delivery company (courier)
courier
/ˈkʊriər/
n.
a company or service that specializes in fast delivery of items
fast delivery company
➕
/fæst dɪˈlɪvəri ˈkʌmpəni/
n.
A company or specialized service that offers rapid transportation and delivery of items, often with tracking and express options.
📘 Details & Usage
📖 Example
This package contains a birthday gift, so I paid extra for express courier to ensure it arrives on time.
This package contains a birthday gift, so I paid extra for express courier to ensure it arrives on time.
🔗 Collocations
express courier – A premium courier service with guaranteed fast delivery.
courier company – A business that specializes in transporting parcels and documents.
international courier – A courier service that delivers across national borders.
🔄 Synonyms
delivery service (n.) – A business that delivers goods to customers.
parcel service (n.) – A service that handles the transportation of parcels.
shipping company (n.) – A company that arranges the transport of goods by ship, air, or land.
🚫 Antonyms
pickup service (n.) – A service that collects items from a location (opposite of delivery).
local post (n.) – Standard mail service, typically slower than courier.
🌱 Derivatives
courier (v.) – To send a package using a courier service.
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