noun
Common
smartphone
SMAHT-fohn
Smartphone (noun) means a mobile phone with advanced computing capabilities, such as internet access and installable apps. Example: “I use my smartphone to check the train times and pay for tickets.”
noun
1
A mobile phone with advanced computing capabilities, such as internet access and installable apps.
"I use my smartphone to check the train times and pay for tickets."
"Her old smartphone ran out of storage because of all the photos."
"Almost everyone in the meeting had a smartphone in hand."
How to use smartphone
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA mobile phone that works like a small computer.
Common pairings
smartphone app
smartphone screen
smartphone addiction
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Word forms
- Plural
- smartphones
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I use my _____ to check the train times and pay for tickets.
Etymology
A blend of "smart" and "phone," first used in the mid-1990s as mobile phones began gaining computer-like features.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for smartphone
See all rhymes for smartphone →Frequently asked questions
What does “smartphone” mean?
The word “smartphone” means a mobile phone with advanced computing capabilities, such as internet access and installable apps. In plain terms, a mobile phone that works like a small computer.
How do you pronounce “smartphone”?
“Smartphone” is pronounced SMAHT-fohn (/ˈsmɑɹtfoʊn/ in IPA).
How do you use “smartphone” in a sentence?
Here is “smartphone” used in a sentence: “Almost everyone in the meeting had a smartphone in hand.”
What part of speech is “smartphone”?
“Smartphone” is a noun.
Where does the word “smartphone” come from?
The word “smartphone” dates back to around 1990. A blend of "smart" and "phone," first used in the mid-1990s as mobile phones began gaining computer-like features.
Is “smartphone” a common word?
“Smartphone” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between a smartphone and a cell phone?
Cell phone (or mobile phone) is the general term for any portable phone, while a smartphone is a cell phone with advanced computing power, internet access, and installable apps. Every smartphone is a cell phone, but basic handsets without an app ecosystem are not smartphones.
Is smartphone one word or two?
Smartphone is written as one closed word in modern usage, and that is the form major dictionaries list. The two-word spelling "smart phone" appeared in earlier writing, but the one-word form is now standard in both American and British English.
What is the difference between a smartphone and a feature phone?
A feature phone is a basic mobile phone that handles calls and texts and may include a camera or a few simple apps, but it lacks the full app store, powerful hardware, and complete internet experience of a smartphone. Feature phones are often chosen for low cost, long battery life, or as distraction-free "dumb phones."
