adjective

toll-free

TOHL-free

Toll-free (adjective) means of a telephone number, free to call, with the cost paid by the person or business being called rather than the caller. Example: “Customers can reach support on a toll-free number.”

adjective

Of a telephone number, free to call, with the cost paid by the person or business being called rather than the caller.

"Customers can reach support on a toll-free number."

"The helpline is toll-free from anywhere in the country."

Of a road, bridge or tunnel, carrying no toll charge for use.

"The eastern crossing is toll-free after ten at night."

adverb

Without charge to the caller.

"Call us toll-free on 1-800-555-0142."

How to use toll-free

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA phone number you can ring without paying for the call.

When to use it

Chiefly American English; British and Irish writing prefers "freephone". Hyphenated in both adjective and adverb use.

Memory tip

Keep the hyphen — "toll free number" without it is a common error in business writing.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

freephone → premium rate local rate toll road

Common pairings

toll-free number toll-free hotline call toll-free toll-free line

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Customers can reach support on a _____ number.

Etymology

From toll + -free. Compare Saterland Frisian tolfräi (“toll-free”), West Frisian tolfrij (“toll-free”), Dutch tolvrij (“toll-free”), German zollfrei (“toll-free”), Swedish tullfri (“toll-free”), Norwegian tollfri (“toll-free”).

Synonyms

View more →

freephone free-to-call 0800 number 1-800 number

Antonyms

premium rate chargeable tolled toll road

Related words

paid accountable chargeable freephone turnpike

Rhymes for toll-free

ee see bee wee nee pee fee tee zee gee vee ree

See all rhymes for toll-free →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between toll-free and freephone?

None in meaning — they are the American and British names for the same thing. Toll-free numbers in North America begin 800, 833, 844, 855, 866, 877 or 888; UK freephone numbers begin 0800 or 0808.

Are toll-free numbers really free?

They are free from landlines, and now free from UK and US mobiles as well. The costs that catch people out are calling one from abroad, which is usually not covered and sometimes blocked entirely, and calling from a hotel phone that adds its own surcharge.

What is the meaning of toll-free?

"toll-free" (adjective) means of a telephone number, free to call, with the cost paid by the person or business being called rather than the caller.

What is another word for toll-free?

Other words for "toll-free" include freephone, free-to-call, 0800 number, 1-800 number.

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paid accountable chargeable freephone turnpike