phone
/foʊn/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.
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.
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💡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.