Definition

Noun: 1. A computerized telecommunication system: A system that answers incoming telephone calls, records spoken messages from callers, stores these messages digitally, and allows the intended recipient to retrieve them later. 2. A message left on such a system: A specific recorded audio message stored within this system. Example: "I left you a voice mail."

Usage

• As a system (uncountable noun): Refers to the technology or service itself.
• As a message (countable noun): Refers to an individual recorded message.

Examples

• System:
  • All calls are handled by an automated voice mail system.
  • She set up her voice mail greeting before her vacation.
• Message:
  • He checked his voice mail as soon as the meeting ended.
  • There was an urgent voice mail from the school.

Advanced Usage

• "To be on voice mail": Describes when a call is answered by the automated system instead of a person.
• "Voice mail box": Often used interchangeably with "voice mail" to refer to the digital storage space for messages.

Variants and Related Words

• Voicemail: A common single-word variant spelling.
• Answering machine: A related but older technology; a physical device that performs a similar function of recording messages.
• Greeting: The pre-recorded message a caller hears before leaving a message (e.g., "You have reached the voice mail of...").

Synonyms

• Answering service (for the system).
• Message (for the recorded content).

Phrasal Verbs / Common Collocations

• Check voice mail: To listen to new messages.
• Leave a voice mail: To record a message for someone.
• Retrieve a voice mail: To access and listen to a stored message.
• Clear/delete voice mail: To remove old messages from the system.

Noun

1. a computerized system for answering and routing telephone calls; telephone messages can be recorded and stored and relayed