phone

¹

[ fohn ]

noun

1. telephone ( def 1 ).
2. a portable electronic telephone device, as a cell phone, mobile phone, or smartphone.

verb (used with object)

, phoned, phon·ing.

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

verb (used without object)

, phoned, phon·ing.

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

phone

²

/ fəʊn /

noun

1. phonetics a single uncomplicated speech sound

phone

³

/ fəʊn /

noun

1. short for telephone

Derived Forms

• -phonic, combining_form:in_adjective

Other Words From

• phonal adjective

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 phōnḗ voice

Origin of phone³

phone ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of phone¹

from Greek phōnē voice, sound

Origin of phone²

C19: from Greek phōnē sound, voice

Example Sentences

Maybe they shop too much, or need a cheaper cell phone plan.

From Slate

He’s already sticking close to Trump’s side at Mar-a-Lago, advocating for more presidential control over the Fed, asking that the government hire some SpaceX executives, and butting in on an official phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

From Slate

In Monaco, she recalls, Salah put her on the phone to his brother, Mohamed, who she says asked: "Is my brother looking after you?"

From BBC

“It was a handshake over the phone. And we’re going to close this thing this week.”

From Los Angeles Times

Attempts to reach Mahoney by phone and through social media were not successful.

From Salon

Related Words

• call up
• contact
• dial