telephone
TEH-lih-fohn
Telephone (noun) means a device for speaking to someone at a distance by sending your voice as signals over a network; a phone. Example: “The telephone rang just as we sat down to eat.”
noun
1
A device for speaking to someone at a distance by sending your voice as signals over a network; a phone.
"The telephone rang just as we sat down to eat."
"Grandad still keeps an old telephone with a dial on the hall table."
"Could you pick up the telephone and tell them we are on our way?"
2
The system of communication that uses these devices.
"They settled the details by telephone."
"Before email, most businesses relied on the telephone and the post."
"You can book a table by telephone or online."
verb
1
To call someone or pass on information using a phone.
"She telephoned her mother the moment she landed."
"Please telephone the office if you'll be late."
"I'll telephone the doctor first thing tomorrow to ask for an appointment."
How to use telephone
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo call someone or send a message by phone — mostly a slightly formal alternative to "phone" or "call."
When to use it
In everyday speech people usually just say "call" or "phone"; "telephone" as a verb sounds a bit formal or old-fashioned.
Common pairings
telephone the office
telephone a friend
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- telephones
- Past tense
- telephoned
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ rang just as we sat down to eat.
Etymology
Built from tele- ("far off") and -phone ("sound"), modelled on the German word Telephon. The device itself was popularised from 1876 by Alexander Graham Bell.
Class of 1876
telephone joined the language around 1876.
See the full Class of 1876 →
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for telephone
See all rhymes for telephone →Frequently asked questions
What does “telephone” mean?
The word “telephone” means to call someone or pass on information using a phone. In plain terms, to call someone or send a message by phone — mostly a slightly formal alternative to "phone" or "call.".
How do you pronounce “telephone”?
“Telephone” is pronounced TEH-lih-fohn (/ˈtɛləˌfoʊn/ in IPA).
How do you use “telephone” in a sentence?
Here is “telephone” used in a sentence: “She telephoned her mother the moment she landed.”
What is another word for “telephone”?
Words with a similar meaning to “telephone” include call, call up, dial up, drop a line, give someone a bell and get on the horn.
What part of speech is “telephone”?
“Telephone” is a verb.
Where does the word “telephone” come from?
The word “telephone” dates back to around 1876 and comes from German. Built from tele- ("far off") and -phone ("sound"), modelled on the German word Telephon. The device itself was popularised from 1876 by Alexander Graham Bell.
Is “telephone” a common word?
“Telephone” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between 'telephone' and 'phone' as verbs?
Both mean to contact someone by phone, and they are interchangeable in meaning. The difference is tone: 'telephone' sounds more formal and slightly old-fashioned, while 'phone' is the everyday choice in modern speech. In casual conversation most people say 'call' or 'phone' rather than 'telephone'.
Is 'telephone' formal or informal?
As a verb, 'telephone' is fairly formal and now sounds dated. You are more likely to see it in older or written English, business letters, or polite instructions. In everyday speech, people usually say 'call', 'phone', or 'ring' instead, all of which carry exactly the same meaning.
What is an example of 'telephone' used as a verb?
You might say, 'Please telephone the office before you arrive,' or 'She telephoned her mother every Sunday.' In both cases it simply means to contact someone by phone. Modern speakers would more often say 'call' or 'ring', but the sense is identical.
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