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phone
/foʊn/
What does "phone" mean in English?
mobile telephoneI need to charge my phone before we leave.
This refers to a mobile phone that needs to be charged.
How to use "phone" correctly: definitions and examples in English?
informal
A portable electronic device used for making calls and accessing the internet
She dropped her phone and cracked the screen.
This describes an accident where a mobile phone screen was damaged.
Commonly used to refer to smartphones.
formal
A device used for transmitting sound over a distance, typically via wires
The landline phone in the office is not working.
This refers to a traditional wired telephone.
Less common in modern usage, often replaced by mobile phones.
Collocations
smartphonean advanced mobile phone with computing capabilitieslandlinea traditional wired telephonephone calla conversation conducted over a telephone
Synonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Common Usage
'Phone' is often used informally to refer to a mobile phone, especially in contexts like 'I lost my phone' or 'Can I borrow your phone?'
Gold Rule
Context Matters
In formal writing, use 'telephone' or 'mobile phone' instead of 'phone' to avoid ambiguity.
Word Origin
Short for 'telephone', derived from Greek 'tēle' (far) + 'phonē' (sound)
Usage Notes
'Phone' is commonly used as a short form of 'telephone' in informal contexts. It can refer to both mobile and landline devices, but in modern usage, it often implies a smartphone.
Word Breakdown
tele
far
rootphone
sound
rootEnglish Dictionary