phone
1a portable electronic telephone device, as a cell phone, mobile phone, or smartphone.
to speak to or summon (a person) by telephone.
to send (a message) by telephone.
to send a message by telephone.
Origin of phone
1Words Nearby phone
Other definitions for phone (2 of 3)
a speech sound: There are three phonetically different “t” phones in an utterance of “titillate,” and two in an utterance of “tattletale.”
Origin of phone
2Other words from phone
- phonal, adjective
Other definitions for -phone (3 of 3)
a combining form meaning “speech sound” (homophone), “an instrument of sound transmission or reproduction” (telephone), “a musical instrument” (saxophone; xylophone).
Origin of -phone
3Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use phone in a sentence
I reached him by phone in the Chicago suburb where he lives with his younger brother and parents.
My mother and her friends couldn’t get coronavirus vaccine appointments, so they turned to a stranger for help. He’s 13. | Greg Harris | February 12, 2021 | Washington PostAnd, if you prefer a human, associates are available by phone.
Replacing pieces of flatware or china can be a challenge. Here’s how to track them down. | Laura Daily | February 11, 2021 | Washington PostHe takes any early work phone calls on foot, while exploring new areas around the city.
The ‘garbage guy’ walks 12 miles a day around D.C. picking up trash: ‘I’ll pick up pretty much anything.’ | Sydney Page | February 11, 2021 | Washington PostThat hasn’t been enough to drive Kramon away from her phone.
I was at the counter picking over the rice when my phone finally buzzed with a text.
“We talked about the science the whole time the other day,” Krauss told The Daily Beast in a phone interview.
Sleazy Billionaire’s Double Life Featured Beach Parties With Stephen Hawking | M.L. Nestel | January 8, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTHe added, "I have not had this many phone calls since the shutdown of the government, truthfully."
Democrats Accidentally Save Boehner From Republican Coup | Ben Jacobs, Jackie Kucinich | January 6, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTNow it can't open on my phone due to what appears to be software incompatibility.
Eventually Morrow was released with no money, vehicle, or phone.
Are Police Stealing People’s Property? | Joan Blades, Matt Kibbe | January 2, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTMy wife was talking to her on the phone, and I just kinda found the courage to ask her.
Deer Tick's John McCauley on Ten Years in Rock and Roll | James Joiner | January 2, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTHe crossed to the wall phone and gently removed the receiver from its hook and held it to his ear.
The phone call wouldn't take long and he'd be coming back any minute now.
The Man from Time | Frank Belknap LongFrom further back, through an open doorway, a girl's voice was shrieking for the police over the phone.
And Lamb said a four-letter word after he had hung up and laughed out loud in the phone booth.
When a phone jangled down the corridor, his eyes bugged right at the door.
British Dictionary definitions for phone (1 of 3)
/ (fəʊn) /
short for telephone
British Dictionary definitions for phone (2 of 3)
/ (fəʊn) /
phonetics a single uncomplicated speech sound
Origin of phone
2British Dictionary definitions for -phone (3 of 3)
(forming nouns) indicating voice, sound, or a device giving off sound: microphone; telephone
(forming nouns and adjectives) (a person) speaking a particular language: Francophone
Origin of -phone
3Derived forms of -phone
- -phonic, adj combining form
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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