voicemail
Definition
Noun: A computerized system for answering telephone calls, recording spoken messages from callers, storing these messages digitally, and allowing the recipient to retrieve them later. It functions as an electronic answering service.
Usage
This noun refers to the technology or service itself, or to a specific message left within that system. It is typically used as an uncountable noun when referring to the system or service, and as a countable noun when referring to individual messages.
Examples
- "Please leave a message after the tone, and I'll return your call as soon as I check my voicemail." (Referring to the system/messages in general)
- "I had three new voicemails when I got back to my desk." (Referring to specific recorded messages)
- "The company's voicemail system has a full directory." (Referring to the technology)
- "She forgot to set up her voicemail greeting." (Referring to the personalized service)
Advanced Usage
- "To be on voicemail": Describes when a call is automatically directed to the voicemail recording system, often because the recipient's line is busy or unanswered.
- His phone rang five times and then went to voicemail.
- "Voicemail box": A less common but precise term for the digital storage space assigned to a user for their messages.
- Your voicemail box is full.
Variants and Related Words
- Voice message (n): A more generic term for a recorded audio message, which may exist outside a formal voicemail system (e.g., in a messaging app). It is often used synonymously with "voicemail."
- Answering machine (n): An older, physical device that performs a similar function of recording messages on tape.
Synonyms
- Answering service
- Voice messaging
Related Phrases
- "Leave a voicemail": The instruction or action of recording a message.
- If I don't answer, just leave a voicemail.
- "Check voicemail": The action of retrieving and listening to messages.
- He checks his voicemail first thing every morning.
- "Voicemail greeting": The prerecorded message a caller hears before the tone.
- She recorded a professional voicemail greeting for work.
Noun
-
a computerized system for answering and routing telephone calls; telephone messages can be recorded and stored and relayed
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