Definition

1. Noun:

   • A device for communication: A piece of electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals for transmission over distances, and then converts received signals back into sounds, allowing people to talk to each other.
   • A speech sound: In linguistics, an individual sound unit of speech, considered without concern for whether it is a meaningful phoneme in a particular language.
   • A receiver for listening: An electro-acoustic transducer, such as an earphone or headphone, that converts electric signals into sounds held over or inserted into the ear.

2. Verb:

   • To call someone: To get or try to get into communication with someone by using a telephone.

Examples

• Noun:

  • She answered the phone on the first ring.
  • The linguist analyzed each phone in the utterance.
  • He put on his headphones to listen to music.

• Verb:

  • I will phone you when I arrive.
  • She phoned the office to report her absence.

Advanced Usage

• "To be on the phone": To be using the telephone; to have a telephone line installed.

  • He is on the phone with a client.
  • Are you on the phone at your new house?

• "To phone in": To make a telephone call to a place, especially to participate in a radio or TV show, or to report something.

  • Listeners are encouraged to phone in with their questions.

Variants and Related Words

• Telephone (n/v): The full, more formal term for 'phone'.
• Smartphone (n): A mobile phone with advanced computing capability.
• Earphone/Headphone (n): A device worn on or over the ear to listen to audio privately.

Synonyms

• Noun (device): Telephone, handset, mobile.
• Verb: Call, ring, telephone.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Phone up: To call someone on the telephone.

  • I need to phone up my parents tonight.

• Phone back: To return a telephone call.

  • The doctor said she would phone back with the results.

• Phone around/round: To call several different people or places.

  • I had to phone around to find a mechanic available today.

Related Idioms

• "Phone it in": To perform a task with minimal effort or enthusiasm, as if one were not physically present.

  • The actor seemed bored and just phoned in his performance.

• "On the phone": Engaged in a telephone conversation.

  • She's been on the phone for an hour.

Noun

1. electro-acoustic transducer for converting electric signals into sounds; it is held over or inserted into the ear
   • it was not the typing but the earphones that she disliked
2. (phonetics) an individual sound unit of speech without concern as to whether or not it is a phoneme of some language
3. electronic equipment that converts sound into electrical signals that can be transmitted over distances and then converts received signals back into sounds
   • I talked to him on the telephone

Verb

1. get or try to get into communication (with someone) by telephone
   • I tried to call you all night
   • Take two aspirin and call me in the morning