courier

USAGE SUMMARY

'courier' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It typically refers to a person or delivery service that transports documents, packages, or goods. Example sentence: The courier arrived with my package just before lunchtime.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Adelson is also likely to face difficult questions about his denial that his company had ties to a senior Chinese official, Ng Lap Seng, who was described in court as "a courier" for Sands Macau and a link man to the Chinese government.

The Guardian

My choice of career was entirely opportunistic: at 20-years-old I found myself working for a courier firm and quickly realised I could do a better job of running it than the people in charge.

The Guardian

The film, which finds Lautner's inexplicably buff yet baby-faced courier escape from the Chinese mafia into the sexy world of jumping off things on to other things, eventually made its debut on a pay-per-view channel in the US earlier this year.

The Guardian - Film

Using his courier system Bin Laden could still exercise an element of operational control over al-Qaida, but increasingly the men he was directing were younger and inexperienced, the fugitive leader complained.

The Guardian

The New York Times reported that records of the mobile phone belonging to the courier who helped conceal Bin Laden – and eventually inadvertently led the CIA to him – revealed frequent calls to the Harkat-ul-Mujahideen (HUM) group.

The Guardian

According to the Wearable Computing website: "In the next five years, we can expect wearable computing to be adopted in a variety of industries, including health care, shipping and courier services, inventory and warehouse operations, conference and trade shows settings, security and law enforcement, newsgathering, museums and zoos, automatic data collection, and sports and entertainment.

The Guardian - Tech

Because of the courier system used by Bin Laden it is unclear to US intelligence whether the letter was actually sent.

The Guardian

There's a bag of it sat in its courier packaging on my desk as I write.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

News Corp's four major mastheads, the Tele, the Herald Sun, the Courier-Mail and the Advertiser, all have paywalls but are still allowing casual readers to access a lot of free content.

The Guardian

"Ugly Dave" roared the back page of Brisbane's Courier-Mail.

The Guardian - Sport

Newhouse sued Bolt over his July 2014 piece "Fearmonger's Hateful Fraud" published in the Herald Sun, the Daily Telegraph and the Courier-Mail.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "courier", consider the specific context. Use it for services that offer secure and often expedited delivery of documents or packages. For general delivery, "delivery service" might be more appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "courier" to describe standard postal services. "Courier" implies a higher level of security, speed, and often a more personalized service than regular mail.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "courier" is a noun, referring to a person or company that delivers goods or messages. It can also function as a verb, meaning to send something via a courier service. Ludwig AI provides numerous examples of its noun usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Formal & Business

28%

Science

25%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "courier" is a versatile term primarily used as a noun to describe a delivery service emphasizing speed and security. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalent use in news, business, and technical contexts. When writing, consider the specific nuances: "courier" implies more urgency than standard mail services. Related terms include "messenger" and "delivery service", each adding subtle differences. Use "courier" when highlighting secure, expedited delivery.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

messenger

Focuses on the person delivering the message, emphasizing their role as a bearer of information.

delivery service

Highlights the business aspect of transporting goods or documents.

dispatch rider

Implies urgency and speed, often associated with delivering important documents quickly.

express service

Emphasizes the speed and efficiency of the delivery.

carrier

A more general term for someone who transports goods or people.

hauler

Suggests the transportation of large or heavy items.

freight forwarder

Involves organizing shipments for individuals or corporations.

transport agent

Focuses on the logistical aspect of moving goods from one place to another.

shipping company

Refers specifically to a business that transports goods by sea, air, or land.

package delivery

Specifically refers to the act of delivering packages.

FAQs

How do I use "courier" in a sentence?

Use "courier" to refer to a person or company that delivers important documents or packages. For example, "The courier delivered the contract this morning."

What can I say instead of "courier"?

You can use alternatives like "messenger", "delivery service", or "dispatch rider" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "courier" or "delivery service"?

"Courier" and "delivery service" are both correct, but "courier" often implies a more urgent or secure delivery.

What's the difference between a "courier" and a "mailman"?

A "courier" typically handles packages and documents with more urgency and security, while a "mailman" delivers regular mail.