telephone

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.".

“Telephone” is pronounced TEH-lih-fohn (/ˈtɛləˌfoʊn/ in IPA).

Here is “telephone” used in a sentence: “She telephoned her mother the moment she landed.”

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.

“Telephone” is a verb.

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.

“Telephone” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.

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'.

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.

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.