noun
gramophone
GRA-muh-fohn
Gramophone (noun) means an old-fashioned device that plays music from vinyl records using a needle and horn or speaker. Example: “The antique gramophone still played scratchy old records.”
noun
1
An old-fashioned device that plays music from vinyl records using a needle and horn or speaker.
"The antique gramophone still played scratchy old records."
How to use gramophone
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn early type of record player, now mostly seen as an antique or in historical settings.
UK vs US
"Gramophone" is more common in British English; Americans more often say "phonograph" or "record player."
Easily confused with
Common pairings
wind-up gramophone
gramophone record
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like gramophone.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- gramophones
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The antique _____ still played scratchy old records.
Etymology
Coined as a trademark in 1887 by Emile Berliner from Ancient Greek gramma ("letter") and phone ("sound").
Synonyms
View more →
acoustic gramophone
phonograph
Related words
Rhymes for gramophone
See all rhymes for gramophone →Frequently asked questions
What does “gramophone” mean?
The word “gramophone” means an old-fashioned device that plays music from vinyl records using a needle and horn or speaker. In plain terms, an early type of record player, now mostly seen as an antique or in historical settings.
How do you pronounce “gramophone”?
“Gramophone” is pronounced GRA-muh-fohn ([ˈɡɹæ.məˌfoʊn] in IPA).
How do you use “gramophone” in a sentence?
Here is “gramophone” used in a sentence: “The antique gramophone still played scratchy old records.”
What part of speech is “gramophone”?
“Gramophone” is a noun.
Where does the word “gramophone” come from?
The word “gramophone” dates back to around 1887 and comes from Ancient Greek. Coined as a trademark in 1887 by Emile Berliner from Ancient Greek gramma ("letter") and phone ("sound").
