Definition and meaning of English word "phone"
phone
/foʊn/
Meaning
NounA device for transmitting conversations and other sounds in real time across distances, now often a small portable unit also capable of running software etc.
How to use
In informal settings, the word 'phone' is often used as a verb, meaning to call or contact someone by phone, e.g. 'I'll phone you later.' However, in formal contexts, it's more common to use the verb 'call' instead. Additionally, learners of English often confuse the phrase 'on the phone' with 'on the phone call', but the former is a prepositional phrase indicating that the conversation is taking place over the phone, while the latter is a noun phrase referring to the act of making a phone call.
🇬🇧 English
phone
Example
I have a phone in my pocket.
The phone is very loud.
Your personal vocabulary
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Common phrases
- phone call— a conversation made over the phone
- phone number— a sequence of numbers used to identify a phone
- phone bill— a document showing the cost of phone calls
- phone book— a book containing phone numbers
- phone card— a card used to make phone calls
This concept in other languages
Frequency rank: #83 in English
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the English word "phone" mean?▼
The English word "phone" means "phone" in English.
How do you pronounce the English word "phone"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "phone" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "phone"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "A phone is a device for communication." (which translates as "phone").
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