doorbell

/'dɔ:bel/

Thân thiện

A child presses the doorbell at the front door.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A signaling device at an entrance: A "doorbell" is a button, typically located beside an outer door, which, when pushed, activates a sound (like a ring or buzz) inside a building to signal that someone is at the door.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • I heard the doorbell and went to answer the door.
  • Please press the doorbell and wait for someone to come.
  • The loud doorbell woke the baby from her nap.

Advanced Usage

• "To ring the doorbell": This is the standard phrase for the action of pressing the button to activate the doorbell.
  • He rang the doorbell three times before anyone answered.

Variants and Related Words

• Buzzer (n): A device that makes a buzzing sound, often used as a simpler type of doorbell signal.
  • The apartment has a buzzer system instead of a traditional doorbell.
• Chime (n): A melodious ringing sound, often used to describe the sound of a more musical doorbell.
  • Their doorbell plays a pleasant chime.

Synonyms

• Bell: A more general term for a device that rings, often used interchangeably with "doorbell" in casual speech.
• Buzzer: Specifically for a device that produces a buzzing sound.

Related Phrases

• "Like a broken doorbell" (Idiomatic simile): Used to describe a repetitive, annoying, or malfunctioning sound or action.
  • His constant complaints were like a broken doorbell.

Học thuật

Noun

1. a push button at an outer door that gives a ringing or buzzing signal when pushed

Từ đồng nghĩa

• bell
• buzzer