wireless

American  

[wahyuhr-lis] / ˈwaɪər lɪs /

adjective

1. having no wire.

2. noting or pertaining to any of various devices that are operated with or actuated by electromagnetic waves.

3. Chiefly British. radio.

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noun

wirelesses plural

1. wireless telegraphy or telephony.

2. a wireless telegraph or telephone, or the like.

3. any system or device, as a cell phone, for transmitting messages or signals by electromagnetic waves.

4. a wireless message.

5. Chiefly British. radio.

verb (used with or without object)

1. to telegraph or telephone by wireless.

wireless British  

/ ˈwaɪəlɪs /

adjective

1. communicating without connecting wires or other material contacts

   wireless networks

   wireless internet connection

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noun

1. old-fashioned another word for radio

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• wirelessness
  noun
• prewireless
  adjective
• wirelessly
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• wirelesses
  plural

Etymology

Origin of wireless

First recorded in 1890–95; wire + -less

Example Sentences

But the U.S. wireless carriers aren’t waiting to be cut out of their own business.

From Barron's • Jun. 15, 2026

SpaceX’s $1.8 trillion IPO, the largest in history, values the company at roughly 35 times sales as a wireless telecom and AI firm.

From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026

The transaction gave the company more firepower to pursue fifth-generation wireless technology.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 10, 2026

Not to be taken for granted at this price point, the GV80 supports wireless connectivity through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 6, 2026

“I can flash Morse code in my sleep. Remember? I’m a wireless operator.”

From "Code Name Verity" by Elizabeth Wein