telephone

18 synonyms for telephone, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Noun — A device for speaking to someone at a distance by sending your voice as signals over a network; a phone.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

phone contact call ring

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

dial

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

telephony get in touch call up dial up drop a line give someone a bell get on the horn give someone a buzz give someone a call give someone a jingle give someone a ring give someone a tinkle ring up

Synonyms by Meaning

1. noun

A device for speaking to someone at a distance by sending your voice as signals over a network; a phone.

“The telephone rang just as we sat down to eat.”

telephony phone

2. verb

To call someone or pass on information using a phone.

“She telephoned her mother the moment she landed.”

dial contact get in touch call call up dial up drop a line give someone a bell get on the horn give someone a buzz give someone a call give someone a jingle give someone a ring give someone a tinkle phone ring ring up

How to use telephone

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

telephone the office telephone a friend

In everyday speech people usually just say "call" or "phone"; "telephone" as a verb sounds a bit formal or old-fashioned.

Etymology

Built from tele- ("far off") and -phone ("sound"), modelled on the German word Telephon. The device itself was popularised from 1876 by Alexander Graham Bell.

Full origin of telephone →

Frequently asked questions

What does “telephone” mean?

The word “telephone” means to call someone or pass on information using a phone. In plain terms, to call someone or send a message by phone — mostly a slightly formal alternative to "phone" or "call.".

How do you pronounce “telephone”?

“Telephone” is pronounced TEH-lih-fohn (/ˈtɛləˌfoʊn/ in IPA).

How do you use “telephone” in a sentence?

Here is “telephone” used in a sentence: “She telephoned her mother the moment she landed.”

What is another word for “telephone”?

Words with a similar meaning to “telephone” include call, call up, dial up, drop a line, give someone a bell and get on the horn.

What part of speech is “telephone”?

“Telephone” is a verb.

Where does the word “telephone” come from?

The word “telephone” dates back to around 1876 and comes from German. Built from tele- ("far off") and -phone ("sound"), modelled on the German word Telephon. The device itself was popularised from 1876 by Alexander Graham Bell.

Is “telephone” a common word?

“Telephone” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

What is the difference between 'telephone' and 'phone' as verbs?

Both mean to contact someone by phone, and they are interchangeable in meaning. The difference is tone: 'telephone' sounds more formal and slightly old-fashioned, while 'phone' is the everyday choice in modern speech. In casual conversation most people say 'call' or 'phone' rather than 'telephone'.

Is 'telephone' formal or informal?

As a verb, 'telephone' is fairly formal and now sounds dated. You are more likely to see it in older or written English, business letters, or polite instructions. In everyday speech, people usually say 'call', 'phone', or 'ring' instead, all of which carry exactly the same meaning.

What is an example of 'telephone' used as a verb?

You might say, 'Please telephone the office before you arrive,' or 'She telephoned her mother every Sunday.' In both cases it simply means to contact someone by phone. Modern speakers would more often say 'call' or 'ring', but the sense is identical.

People also searched

call phone contact ring dial

Nearby words

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