adj
Common
wireless
WEYE-uh-luhs
Wireless (adj) means not connected by physical wires or cables. Example: “Wireless headphones mean you can walk around without tangled cables.”
adj
1
Not connected by physical wires or cables.
"Wireless headphones mean you can walk around without tangled cables."
"She bought a wireless keyboard so her desk would look tidier."
"The office switched to a wireless network last year."
noun
1
Radio, or a radio receiver — especially in older British usage.
"The old wireless on the shelf still picks up a few stations."
"My grandfather still calls the radio "the wireless.""
"They listened to the news on the wireless every evening."
How to use wireless
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAnything that works without cables — Wi-Fi devices today, or an old-fashioned radio set in British English.
UK vs US
In British English "wireless" can still mean a radio set, a sense that has largely faded from American English.
Common pairings
wireless network
wireless connection
wireless router
listen to the wireless
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Word forms
- Plural
- wirelesses
- Third person singular
- wirelesses
- Past tense
- wirelessed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
_____ headphones mean you can walk around without tangled cables.
Etymology
Formed from wire plus the suffix -less, originally describing early radio technology that sent signals without a physical wire connection.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for wireless
useless
ageless
hopeless
homeless
tireless
careless
lifeless
baseless
clueless
timeless
loveless
nameless
See all rhymes for wireless →
Frequently asked questions
What does “wireless” mean?
The word “wireless” means not connected by physical wires or cables. In plain terms, anything that works without cables — Wi-Fi devices today, or an old-fashioned radio set in British English.
How do you pronounce “wireless”?
“Wireless” is pronounced WEYE-uh-luhs (/ˈwaɪ(jə)ɹ.ləs/ in IPA).
How do you use “wireless” in a sentence?
Here is “wireless” used in a sentence: “She bought a wireless keyboard so her desk would look tidier.”
What is another word for “wireless”?
Words with a similar meaning to “wireless” include cordless.
What is the opposite of “wireless”?
The opposite of “wireless” — its antonyms — is wired.
What part of speech is “wireless”?
Depending on how it is used, “wireless” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “wireless” a common word?
“Wireless” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “wireless” have?
“Wireless” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: not connected by physical wires or cables.
What is the difference between wireless and cordless?
Cordless usually means a device runs without a power or connecting cord but still communicates over a short range to a base, such as a cordless phone. Wireless more broadly means not connected by any physical wires or cables and often refers to data transmission such as Wi-Fi or radio.
What is the difference between wireless and wired?
Wired means connected by physical cables, while wireless means not connected by wires or cables at all. The two are direct opposites when describing how devices link to a network or power source.
Why do older British speakers call a radio the wireless?
In older British usage, wireless is a noun meaning radio or a radio receiver. The term dates from early broadcasting, when radio transmission was contrasted with wired telegraphy, and it survives today mainly as a dated or affectionate word for a radio set.
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