noun

answerphone

AN-sur-fohn

Answerphone (noun) means a telephone device that automatically records messages from callers. Example: “Leave a message on the answerphone and I'll call you back.”

noun

A telephone device that automatically records messages from callers.

"Leave a message on the answerphone and I'll call you back."

How to use answerphone

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA machine attached to a phone that records messages when nobody picks up.

UK vs US

Mainly British English; American English typically says "answering machine" or "voicemail."

Easily confused with

voicemail →

Word forms

answerphones plural

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “answerphone” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Leave a message on the _____ and I'll call you back.

Etymology

A blend of answer and (tele)phone.

Rhymes for answerphone

one bone done gone none tone lone hone cone zone stone phone

See all rhymes for answerphone →

Frequently asked questions

What does “answerphone” mean?

The word “answerphone” means a telephone device that automatically records messages from callers. In plain terms, a machine attached to a phone that records messages when nobody picks up.

How do you pronounce “answerphone”?

“Answerphone” is pronounced AN-sur-fohn (/ˈæn.sɜː(ɹ)ˌfəʊn/ in IPA).

How do you use “answerphone” in a sentence?

Here is “answerphone” used in a sentence: “Leave a message on the answerphone and I'll call you back.”

What part of speech is “answerphone”?

“Answerphone” is a noun.