answering service
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of answering service
First recorded in 1960–65
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A chip shop manager said he has programmed an AI answering service to take orders in a bid to cut costs.
From BBC • Sep. 17, 2025
That neurologist wasn’t on call, she was told by the answering service, but someone would call her back.
From New York Times • Oct. 13, 2022
The phone for McCloskey’s campaign rang unanswered Tuesday and a message left with his law office’s answering service wasn’t immediately returned.
From Seattle Times • Nov. 16, 2021
Prehn didn’t respond to a message left with his answering service Friday afternoon.
From Washington Times • Jul. 24, 2020
Eventually a company representative or answering service picked up the call.
From Underground by Dreyfus, Suelette
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.