Definition

Noun: An electronic device that is connected to a telephone line. It automatically answers incoming calls, plays a pre-recorded greeting, and records messages from callers for later retrieval by the owner.

Usage

An "answering machine" is used when a person is unavailable to answer their phone. It ensures that callers can leave a message. The term is used as a countable noun.

Examples

• Noun:
  • I wasn't home, so the caller left a message on my answering machine.
  • Please remember to check the answering machine for any missed calls.
  • Her answering machine greeting was friendly and professional.

Advanced Usage

• "To screen calls": To use an answering machine to listen to a caller leaving a message before deciding whether to answer the phone.
  • He lets the answering machine pick up so he can screen his calls.

Variants and Related Words

• Voicemail (n): A digital network-based service that performs a similar function to an answering machine, often provided by telephone companies or mobile carriers.
  • My mobile phone's voicemail is full, so I need to delete some old messages.

Synonyms

• Message recorder: A descriptive term for a device that records messages.
• Phone recorder: A simple term focusing on the recording function.

Related Phrases

• "The machine picked up": An informal phrase meaning the answering machine answered the call.
  • I called, but the machine picked up, so I left a message.
• "To get the machine": An informal phrase meaning to reach someone's answering machine instead of the person.
  • Every time I call, I get the machine.

Noun

1. an electronic device that answers the telephone and records messages