Definition

1. Noun:
   • A portable telephone that connects to a cellular network: A wireless electronic device used for making and receiving calls, and often for sending text messages, accessing the internet, and running applications. It operates by connecting to a network of radio transmitters (cells).

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • She left her cell phone on the kitchen counter.
  • Most people now use a cell phone as their primary telephone.
  • The use of a cell phone is prohibited while driving in many areas.

Advanced Usage

• "to be on one's cell phone": to be using one's mobile phone, typically for a call.
  • He was on his cell phone for over an hour.
• "cell phone etiquette": the customary code of polite behavior concerning the use of mobile phones in social settings.
  • Turning your phone to silent in a theater is basic cell phone etiquette.

Variants and Related Words

• Cellular phone (n): A full, formal synonym for "cell phone."
• Mobile phone (n): A common synonym, especially in British English.
• Smartphone (n): A type of cell phone with advanced computing capability and connectivity.
• Cell (n, informal): A common shortened form of "cell phone."
  • Give me a call on my cell.

Synonyms

• Mobile phone
• Cellular telephone
• Handset (in some contexts)
• Mobile (common in UK English)

Related Phrasal Verbs/Phrases

• To cell phone (someone) (verb, informal): To call someone using a cell phone.
  • I'll cell phone you when I land.
• To power off/on a cell phone: To turn a cell phone off or on.
• To top up a cell phone (UK): To add credit to a prepaid mobile phone account.

Related Idioms

• "Glued to one's cell phone": Constantly using or looking at one's mobile phone.
  • The teenagers were glued to their cell phones during the entire dinner.
• "Cell phone dead zone": An area where there is no cellular network signal.
  • We lost the call because we drove into a cell phone dead zone.

Verb

1. call up by using a cellular phone
   • If the train is late, I will cell phone you