phone
FOHN
Phone (noun) means a device used to talk to someone over a distance, especially a mobile device that also runs apps. Example: “She left her phone at home and had to go back for it.”
noun
1
A device used to talk to someone over a distance, especially a mobile device that also runs apps.
"She left her phone at home and had to go back for it."
"Can I borrow your phone to make a quick call?"
"My phone battery died just as I reached the station."
verb
1
To call someone using a telephone.
"I'll phone you as soon as I land."
"He phoned the office to say he'd be late."
"Phone the dentist tomorrow morning to rearrange your appointment, please."
How to use phone
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA telephone, or the act of calling someone on one.
Common pairings
phone someone
answer the phone
on the phone
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Word forms
- Plural
- phones
- Third person singular
- phones
- Past tense
- phoned
Fill the gap
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She left her _____ at home and had to go back for it.
Etymology
A shortening of "telephone," first recorded in this clipped form in 1884; "telephone" itself combines Greek tele- ("far") and phone ("sound").
Synonyms
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Rhymes for phone
See all rhymes for phone →Frequently asked questions
What does “phone” mean?
The word “phone” means a device used to talk to someone over a distance, especially a mobile device that also runs apps. In plain terms, a telephone, or the act of calling someone on one.
How do you pronounce “phone”?
“Phone” is pronounced FOHN (/ˈfoʊ̯n/ in IPA).
How do you use “phone” in a sentence?
Here is “phone” used in a sentence: “She left her phone at home and had to go back for it.”
What is another word for “phone”?
Words with a similar meaning to “phone” include telephone, blower, pipe, Ameche, dog and bone and horn.
What part of speech is “phone”?
Depending on how it is used, “phone” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “phone” come from?
The word “phone” dates back to around 1884 and comes from Greek. A shortening of "telephone," first recorded in this clipped form in 1884; "telephone" itself combines Greek tele- ("far") and phone ("sound").
Is “phone” a common word?
“Phone” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “phone” have?
“Phone” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a device used to talk to someone over a distance, especially a mobile device that also runs apps.
What is the difference between a phone and a smartphone?
A phone is any device for talking over a distance; a smartphone is a modern phone that also runs apps, browses the internet, takes photos, and much more. All smartphones are phones, but older "basic" or "feature" phones mainly make calls and send texts without the full app experience.
What is the difference between a mobile phone and a cell phone?
They are the same device — the difference is regional. "Mobile phone," often shortened to "mobile," is the usual term in Britain and much of the world, while "cell phone," short for "cellular phone," is standard in the United States. Both mean a wireless phone you carry with you.
Is "phone" short for "telephone"?
Yes. "Phone" is a shortened form of "telephone," which comes from Greek roots meaning "far" and "sound" — literally sound from a distance. The clipped version became so common that "phone" now stands on its own, and for most people it first brings to mind a mobile device rather than a landline.
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