phone
1[ fohn ]
/ foʊn /
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.
Nearby words
phonasthenia, phonate, phonathon, phonation, phonatory, phone, phone book, phone card, phone hacking, phone in, phone phreak
Origin of phone
1First recorded in 1880–85; by shortening
Definition for phone (2 of 3)
phone
2[ 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.”
Origin of phone
2First recorded in 1865–70, phone is from the Greek word phōnḗ voice
Related forms
pho·nal, adjectiveDefinition 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. 2019
Examples from the Web for phone
British Dictionary definitions for phone (1 of 3)
British Dictionary definitions for phone (2 of 3)
phone
2/ (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
-phonic, adj combining formWord Origin for -phone
from Greek phōnē voice, sound
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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