ENGLISH
REFERENCE

cellphone

n. countable
A1 Beginner Informal
Definition

n. a small phone that you can carry with you and use almost anywhere. Most of these now have touchscreens and connect to the internet.

n. a portable electronic device used for mobile voice or data communication over a network of specialized base stations. Commonly used in North American English; 'mobile phone' is the standard British equivalent.


SIMPLE

I need to charge my cellphone before we leave.

CONTEXTUAL

She checked her cellphone for messages as soon as the plane landed at the airport.

COMPLEX

The ubiquity of the cellphone has fundamentally altered social etiquette, as people are now reachable at nearly any moment regardless of their physical location.

Usage

Commonly used in American and Canadian English; speakers in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand typically prefer 'mobile phone'.

Pitfall

my handphonemy cellphone'Handphone' is common in Southeast Asian English but is not used in standard American or British English.

Last updated July 27, 2026