English Reference
noun · adjective

android

n. · adj.
US /ˈænˌdɹɔɪd/ UK /ˈændɹɔɪd/ an·droid UK spelling androids

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate Science

    n.a robot that is designed to look and act like a human being.

    n.a robot or synthetic organism designed with a human-like appearance and behavior.

    Simple

    In the movie, the android was so realistic that people thought he was a real person.

    In context

    The science fiction novel explores the ethical implications of creating an android capable of experiencing genuine human emotions.

    Usage

    Often used in science fiction contexts to distinguish human-looking robots from mechanical-looking ones.

  2. 02 B1 Intermediate Computing

    n.a popular operating system used on many smartphones and tablets.

    n.A mobile operating system based on a modified version of the Linux kernel, primarily designed for touchscreen mobile devices.

    Simple

    I prefer using Android because I can customize the home screen more easily than on an iPhone.

    In context

    Developers must ensure their applications are compatible with various versions of the Android operating system to reach a global audience.

  3. 03 B1 Intermediate Informal Computing

    n.a smartphone or tablet that uses the Android operating system.

    n.A mobile handset or tablet computer running the Android operating system.

    Simple

    Does your charger work with an Android, or is it only for Apple devices?

    In context

    The market share for Androids has grown significantly in emerging economies due to the availability of affordable hardware options.

    smartphone
  4. 04 C2 Proficiency Technical Medicine

    adj.a term used in medicine to describe a pelvis shape that is usually found in men.

    adj.Relating to a type of pelvis with a narrow anterior segment and a heart-shaped brim, characteristic of the human male.

    Simple

    The doctor explained that an android pelvis can sometimes make natural childbirth more difficult.

    In context

    Radiographic assessment confirmed an android pelvic structure, which necessitated a different approach to the surgical procedure.

    Usage

    Primarily used in obstetrics and anatomy to categorize pelvic morphology.

    gynaecoid

One of the first apps, Nearby Glasses , is available for $2.99 on both iOS and Android.

Ars Technica· 21 Aug 2026

Linux , the core software powering Android phones and most of the internet, is an open-source technology.

The Conversation· 12 Aug 2026

Learned borrowing from New Latin androides, from Ancient Greek ἀνδρός (andrós, genitive of ἀνήρ (anḗr, “man, human”)) + -ειδής (-eidḗs, itself from εἶδος (eîdos, “form, image, shape, appearance, look”)). By surface analysis, andr- + -oid.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Ancient Greek -
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Common
Updated