phone

[ fohn ]

/ foʊn /

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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

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of phone

First recorded in 1880–85; by shortening

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

Behind the scenes, your phone is constantly sending out little Bluetooth chirps.
A covid-fighting tool is buried in your phone. Turn it on.|Geoffrey Fowler|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
“It took dozens and dozens of phone calls, night after night, sometimes it seemed like all night, working through language barriers and the 13-hour time difference,” the governor would write in his book.
Hogan’s first batch of coronavirus tests from South Korea were flawed, never used|Steve Thompson|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
Perdue also spoke on the phone to Mnuchin while the regulation was being hashed out in late November 2018, according to the Treasury secretary’s public calendar.
Georgia Senator David Perdue Privately Pushed for a Tax Break for Rich Sports Teamowners|by Robert Faturechi and Justin Elliott|November 20, 2020|ProPublica
When we are out with others, he has no problem looking at something on their phones.
Carolyn Hax: Cellphones push his buttons, and he pushes back|Carolyn Hax|November 20, 2020|Washington Post

“It’s a threat to our constitutional order that’s unfolding right now,” Greabe said by phone Thursday.
Rudy Giuliani’s post-election meltdown starts to become literal|Dan Zak, Josh Dawsey|November 20, 2020|Washington Post
Finally, after phoning her house for months, her mother revealed to Borges that Elsa was married.
Borges Had A Genius For Literature But Not Love Or Much Else|Allen Barra|October 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The president of the United States was phoning our office with his “suggestions.”
Send In Bill Clinton to Save the Democratic Midterm Campaign|Robert Shrum|April 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The head of the Media Research Center has allegedly been phoning it in for years.
Ex-Employees of Conservative Figure L. Brent Bozell Say He Didn’t Write His Books or Columns|Ben Jacobs|February 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
As soon as New York knew, their families were phoning Los Angeles.
Larry Hagman, Linda Gray, Patrick Duffy on the Glory Days of ‘Dallas’|Maria Elena Fernandez|June 13, 2012|DAILY BEAST
He never attended the large annual antiabortion rallies in Lafayette Park across the White House, always phoning in.
What Reagan Could Tell the Right|Matthew Dallek|November 14, 2009|DAILY BEAST
"That Mr. Harrison has been 'phoning and 'phoning," Mrs. Hills announced, complacently.
Jane Journeys On|Ruth Comfort Mitchell
I headed the car for the plant, figuring I could do my phoning from there as well as pick a crew.
The Scapegoat|Richard Maples
Speaking of which, how about us phoning Chow an order for breakfast?
Tom Swift and The Visitor from Planet X|Victor Appleton
The phoning was soon done, and then Constance hurried to the kitchen where for the two ensuing hours she worked like a beaver.
Three Little Women|Gabrielle E. Jackson
Quickly she did so, twisting her head around all the time she was 'phoning to make sure that no one entered opposite.
The Apartment Next Door|William Andrew Johnston

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

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