phone

SayFOHN/foʊ̯n//fəʊ̯n/

Pluralphones

Verbphones, phoning, phoned

4 meanings of phone

1
devicenouncountable
A device that sends voices and other sounds across distances in real time, now often a small portable unit that can also run software.
He keeps his phone on silent during meetings.
Modern phones can run thousands of different apps.
UsageOn the phone means in a call; reach someone by phone; answer or pick up the phone.
Similartelephone, cellphone, mobile
2
make a callverbtransitive or intransitive
To contact someone by making a telephone call.
She phoned her sister to share the news.
Remember to phone the doctor about your test results.
UsageNo to before the person: phone your sister (not ~~incorrect: phone to your sister~~); you can also just phone.
Similarcall, ring, telephone
3
contact numbernouncolloquialcountable
A person's telephone number, used as a way to reach them.
The sign-up sheet at the gym had spaces for name, email, and phone.
Leave your name and phone at the front desk, and someone from the office will get back to you today.
UsageMostly on forms and in quick speech; in writing, phone number is clearer.
Similarnumber

Less common meaning

4
noun
A speech sound with distinct physical or perceptual properties, considered as a physical event rather than by its role in a language's sound system.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of phone apart? Answer 4 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

A clipping of 'telephone', in use by the 1880s. Through French télé- and -phone, it traces back to the Ancient Greek τῆλε (têle) and φωνή (phōnḗ).