phone

¹

[ fohn ]

noun

1. telephone ( def 1 ).
2. a portable electronic telephone device, as a cell phone, mobile phone, or smartphone.

verb (used with object)

, phoned, phon·ing.

1. to speak to or summon (a person) by telephone.
2. to send (a message) by telephone.

verb (used without object)

, phoned, phon·ing.

1. to send a message by telephone.

phone

²

[ fohn ]

noun

, Phonetics.

1. a speech sound:

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

-phone

³

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

phone

¹

/ fəʊn /

noun

1. phonetics a single uncomplicated speech sound

-phone

²

combining_form

1. forming nouns indicating voice, sound, or a device giving off sound

   telephone

   microphone

2. forming nouns and adjectives (a person) speaking a particular language

   Francophone

phone

³

/ fəʊn /

noun

1. See telephone
   short for telephone

Derived Forms

• -phonic, combining_form:in_adjective

Other Words From

• phonal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of phone¹

First recorded in 1880–85; by shortening

Origin of phone²

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

Origin of phone³

phone ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of phone¹

C19: from Greek phōnē sound, voice

Origin of phone²

from Greek phōnē voice, sound

Example Sentences

I reached him by phone in the Chicago suburb where he lives with his younger brother and parents.

From Washington Post

And, if you prefer a human, associates are available by phone.

From Washington Post

He takes any early work phone calls on foot, while exploring new areas around the city.

From Washington Post

That hasn’t been enough to drive Kramon away from her phone.

From Washington Post

I was at the counter picking over the rice when my phone finally buzzed with a text.

From Eater

“We talked about the science the whole time the other day,” Krauss told The Daily Beast in a phone interview.

From The Daily Beast

He added, "I have not had this many phone calls since the shutdown of the government, truthfully."

From The Daily Beast

Now it can't open on my phone due to what appears to be software incompatibility.

From The Daily Beast

Eventually Morrow was released with no money, vehicle, or phone.

From The Daily Beast

My wife was talking to her on the phone, and I just kinda found the courage to ask her.

From The Daily Beast

He crossed to the wall phone and gently removed the receiver from its hook and held it to his ear.

From Project Gutenberg

The phone call wouldn't take long and he'd be coming back any minute now.

From Project Gutenberg

From further back, through an open doorway, a girl's voice was shrieking for the police over the phone.

From Project Gutenberg

And Lamb said a four-letter word after he had hung up and laughed out loud in the phone booth.

From Project Gutenberg

When a phone jangled down the corridor, his eyes bugged right at the door.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• call up
• contact
• dial