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View synonyms for

phone

1

[ fohn ]

noun

  1. a portable electronic telephone device, as a cell phone, mobile phone, or smartphone.


verb (used with object)

phoned, phoning.
  1. to speak to or summon (a person) by telephone.
  2. to send (a message) by telephone.

verb (used without object)

phoned, phoning.
  1. to send a message by telephone.

phone

2

[ fohn ]

noun

Phonetics.
  1. a speech sound:

    There are three phonetically different “t” phones in an utterance of “titillate,” and two in an utterance of “tattletale.”

-phone

3
  1. a combining form meaning “speech sound” ( homophone ), “an instrument of sound transmission or reproduction” ( telephone ), “a musical instrument” ( saxophone; xylophone ).

-phone

1

combining_form

  1. forming nouns indicating voice, sound, or a device giving off sound

    telephone

    microphone

  2. forming nouns and adjectives (a person) speaking a particular language

    Francophone

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

phone

2

/ əʊ /

noun

  1. short for telephone
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

phone

3

/ əʊ /

noun

  1. phonetics a single uncomplicated speech sound
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • -phonic, combining_form:in_adjective
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Other Word Forms

  • n adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of phone1

First recorded in 1880–85; by shortening

Origin of phone2

First recorded in 1865–70, phone is from the Greek word ōḗ voice

Origin of phone3

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Word History and Origins

Origin of phone1

from Greek ōŧ voice, sound

Origin of phone2

C19: from Greek ōŧ sound, voice
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

With the sound of helicopters hovering overhead, the country singer Lee Greenwood took a phone call on Thursday while standing backstage at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.

From

Judge Garnett asked prosecutors to write a letter within seven days explaining how Mr Mangione would be ensured access to a separate phone line to make privileged calls with his legal team.

From

"At home, I hugged my mother, and we cried together for a while. Then cousins and friends started to arrive, and the phone was ringing off the hook."

From

Red Roses full-back Emma Sing was not expecting a phone call from head coach John Mitchell while in a crochet class - a favourite activity in England's camp.

From

Holding his phone out to show a caller back home his surroundings, a Brazilian priest spun on himself, laughing.

From

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