noun
Uncommon
Nokia
NO-kee-uh
Nokia (noun) means a phone made by the Finnish company Nokia, once famous for its tough, long-lasting handsets. Example: “My old Nokia survived being dropped down a flight of stairs.”
noun
1
A phone made by the Finnish company Nokia, once famous for its tough, long-lasting handsets.
"Mac turned to the bed and pulled a handful of Nokias from the bag. 'We need those charged,' said Mac as he headed off to find the communal shower block."
— Mark Abernethy, Golden Serpent (2011)
"My old Nokia survived being dropped down a flight of stairs."
"People joke that a Nokia brick phone could outlast a nuclear war."
How to use Nokia
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA phone from the Nokia brand — often used nostalgically to mean an old, indestructible mobile phone.
Common pairings
an old Nokia
Nokia brick phone
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Word forms
- Plural
- Nokias
Fill the gap
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My old _____ survived being dropped down a flight of stairs.
Etymology
Named after the town of Nokia in Finland, where the company that became the phone maker was originally based.
Rhymes for Nokia
See all rhymes for Nokia →Frequently asked questions
What does “Nokia” mean?
The word “Nokia” means a phone made by the Finnish company Nokia, once famous for its tough, long-lasting handsets. In plain terms, a phone from the Nokia brand — often used nostalgically to mean an old, indestructible mobile phone.
How do you pronounce “Nokia”?
“Nokia” is pronounced NO-kee-uh (/ˈnɔ.ki.ə/ in IPA).
How do you use “Nokia” in a sentence?
Here is “Nokia” used in a sentence: “My old Nokia survived being dropped down a flight of stairs.”
What part of speech is “Nokia”?
“Nokia” is a noun.
Is “Nokia” a common word?
“Nokia” is an uncommon word in modern English.
Why is Nokia associated with tough, long-lasting phones?
Nokia built its reputation as a phone brand on handsets known for their durability, particularly older models that were famous for surviving drops and rough handling. This reputation has made 'a Nokia' a shorthand for a phone that is unusually tough and long-lasting.
Is Nokia used as a general term for any durable phone?
Informally, people sometimes invoke the name Nokia to describe any phone perceived as especially rugged, referencing the brand's classic handsets rather than a specific current model. This usage trades on the company's historical reputation for toughness rather than describing an official product category.
Is Nokia still a phone manufacturer today?
Nokia is a Finnish company historically known for producing mobile phones, and the name continues to be associated with the tough, reliable handsets that built its early reputation in the mobile phone industry.
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