phone

¹

[fohn]

noun

1. telephone.

2. 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

   microphone

   telephone

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

   Francophone

phone

²

/ fəʊn /

noun

1. short for telephone

phone

³

/ fəʊn /

noun

1. phonetics a single uncomplicated speech sound

Other Word Forms

• -phonic combining form
• phonal 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

She looks like an ordinary teenager, in joggers, worn trainers and a big puffer jacket, clutching her mobile phone and vape.

From BBC

Members of the public have been temporarily banned from walking into the main chamber of the House of Commons after a mobile phone was found hidden there during a security sweep.

From BBC

The prosecution alleges Mr Linehan "relentlessly" posted abusive comments about Sophia Brooks, 18, on social media last October, before throwing her phone in a road.

From BBC

It is not an "ideal accommodation", but Mr Singh is willing to let go of his comforts for the future of the children, he told BBC over phone.

From BBC

“I’ll never forget the phone call. And we had such a great time on that first series, didn’t we? There was definitely a feeling of: We’re on to something really good here.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• call up 
• contact 
• dial