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phone
1[ fohn ]
/ foÊn /
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noun
a portable electronic telephone device, as a cell phone, mobile phone, or smartphone.
verb (used with object), phoned, phon·ing.
to speak to or summon (a person) by telephone.
to send (a message) by telephone.
verb (used without object), phoned, phon·ing.
to send a message by telephone.
QUIZ
ALL IN FAVO(U)R OF THIS BRITISH VS. AMERICAN ENGLISH QUIZ
There's an ocean of difference between the way people speak English in the US vs. the UK. Are your language skills up to the task of telling the difference? Let's find out!
Question 1 of 7
True or false? British English and American English are only different when it comes to slang words.
Origin of phone
1First recorded in 1880â85; by shortening
Words nearby phone
phon, phonasthenia, phonate, phonathon, phonation, phone, phone book, phonecam, phonecard, phone hacking, phone-in
Other definitions for phone (2 of 3)
phone2
[ fohn ]
/ foÊn /
noun Phonetics.
a speech sound: There are three phonetically different âtâ phones in an utterance of âtitillate,â and two in an utterance of âtattletale.â
Origin of phone
2First recorded in 1865â70, phone is from the Greek word phĆnáž voice
OTHER WORDS FROM phone
phonal, adjectiveOther definitions for phone (3 of 3)
-phone
a combining form meaning âspeech soundâ (homophone), âan instrument of sound transmission or reproductionâ (telephone), âa musical instrumentâ (saxophone; xylophone).
Origin of -phone
see origin at phone2
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use phone in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for phone (1 of 3)
British Dictionary definitions for phone (2 of 3)
phone2
/ (fÉÊn) /
noun
phonetics a single uncomplicated speech sound
Word Origin for phone
C19: from Greek phĆnÄ sound, voice
British Dictionary definitions for phone (3 of 3)
-phone
combining form
(forming nouns) indicating voice, sound, or a device giving off soundmicrophone; telephone
(forming nouns and adjectives) (a person) speaking a particular languageFrancophone
Derived forms of -phone
-phonic, adj combining formWord Origin for -phone
from Greek phĆnÄ voice, sound
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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