phone

[ fohn ]

/ foʊn /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for phone on Thesaurus.com

noun

telephone (def. 1).

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.

true

false

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of phone

First recorded in 1880–85; 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 ]

/ foʊn /

noun Phonetics.

a speech sound: There are three phonetically different “t” phones in an utterance of “titillate,” and two in an utterance of “tattletale.”

Compare allophone, phoneme.

Origin of phone

First recorded in 1865–70, phone is from the Greek word phōnḗ voice

OTHER WORDS FROM phone

phonal, adjective

Other definitions for phone (3 of 3)

-phone

a combining form meaning “speech sound” (homophone), “an instrument of sound transmission or reproduction” (telephone), “a musical instrument” (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

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 Post
And, 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 Post
He 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 Post
That hasn’t been enough to drive Kramon away from her phone.
The loneliness of an interrupted adolescence|Ellen McCarthy|February 11, 2021|Washington Post

I was at the counter picking over the rice when my phone finally buzzed with a text.
Love, Loneliness, and the Chicken in My Freezer|Elazar Sontag|February 9, 2021|Eater
“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|DAILY BEAST
He 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|DAILY BEAST
Now it can't open on my phone due to what appears to be software incompatibility.
My Week on Jewish Tinder|Emily Shire|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Eventually Morrow was released with no money, vehicle, or phone.
Are Police Stealing People’s Property?|Joan Blades, Matt Kibbe|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
My 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|DAILY BEAST
He crossed to the wall phone and gently removed the receiver from its hook and held it to his ear.
Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942|Various
The phone call wouldn't take long and he'd be coming back any minute now.
The Man from Time|Frank Belknap Long
From further back, through an open doorway, a girl's voice was shrieking for the police over the phone.
Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942|Various
And Lamb said a four-letter word after he had hung up and laughed out loud in the phone booth.
Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942|Various
When a phone jangled down the corridor, his eyes bugged right at the door.
Hooded Detective, Volume III No. 2, January, 1942|Various

British Dictionary definitions for phone (1 of 3)

phone¹

/ (fəʊn) /

noun, verb

short for telephone

British Dictionary definitions for phone (2 of 3)

phone²

/ (fəʊn) /

noun

phonetics a single uncomplicated speech sound

Word Origin for phone

C19: from Greek phōnē 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 form

Word Origin for -phone

from Greek phōnē voice, sound

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

phone

Origin of phone

Words nearby phone

Other definitions for phone (2 of 3)

Origin of phone

OTHER WORDS FROM phone

Other definitions for phone (3 of 3)

Origin of -phone

Words related to phone

How to use phone in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for phone (1 of 3)

British Dictionary definitions for phone (2 of 3)

Word Origin for phone

British Dictionary definitions for phone (3 of 3)

Derived forms of -phone

Word Origin for -phone