Definition of “phone” - English Dictionary

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“phone” in English

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phonenoun

uk ​ /fəʊn/ us ​ /foʊn/

phone noun (PHONE)

A1 [ C or U ] formal telephone a device that uses either a system of wires along which electrical signals are sent or a system of radio signals to make it possible for you to speak to someone in another place who has a similar device:

Just then, his phone rang.
Could you answer the phone?
We speak on the/by phone about twice a week.
You had three phone calls this morning.
If the phone lines are busy, please try again later.
Could you pick the phone up for me - my hands are wet.
I left the phone off the hook, so it wouldn't ring.
I was so angry I just put/slammed the phone down (on her) (= replaced it before our conversation was finished).
be on the phone

› to be using the phone:

That son of mine is on the phone all day!

› UK to have a landline in the home:

Are the Middletons on the phone at their cottage, do you know?

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Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

Grammar

Telephoning …

phoneverb [ I or T ]

uk ​ /fəʊn/ us ​ /foʊn/

A1 to communicate with someone by phone:

She phoned just after lunch.
He's phoned me (up) every day this week.

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Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

Grammar

Telephoning …

Phrasal verb(s)

phone in
phone sth in

(Definition of “phone” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

“phone” in American English

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phonenoun [ C ]

us ​ /foʊn/

› short form oftelephone:

The phone is ringing – would you answer it?
phone
verb [ I/T ] us ​ /foʊn/

›

[ I ] Fernando phoned just after lunch.

(Definition of “phone” from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

“phone” in Business English

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phonenoun [ C ]

uk ​ /fəʊn/ us ​ COMMUNICATIONS

› a piece of electronic equipment which makes it possible for you to speak to someone in another place who has similar equipment, using either electrical signals sent along a system of wires, or radio signals:

over the phone You can arrange a mortgage online, over the phone, or through a meeting.
by phone The company can be reached by phone on this number.
on the phone She has spent hours on the phone in recent weeks, talking to negotiators in a labour dispute.
See also
cell phone
mobile phone
telephone

phoneverb [ I or T ]

uk ​ /fəʊn/ us ​ COMMUNICATIONS

› to communicate with someone by phone:

Someone phoned while you were at lunch.
Phone him and ask if he's free this afternoon.
See also
telephone

Phrasal verb(s)

phone in
phone sth in
phone up

(Definition of “phone” from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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