What does "phone" mean?

1. (telephone number) the set of numbers used to call a specific person. 2. (a unit of sound) a single sound in a language, like the 'p' sound. 3. (to call someone) to call someone using a telephone.

How do you use "phone"?

Used as a countable noun in phonetics. Can be used with or without a direct object.

phone

n. · v.

US //ˈfoʊn// UK //fˈəʊn// phone

1 telephone number (n.)
B1 Intermediate Informal

the set of numbers used to call a specific person.

a sequence of digits assigned to a specific telephone line or user.

Example

Can I have your phone so I can text you the address?

Example

He scribbled his phone on a napkin before leaving the café, hoping she would actually use it.
- number
- digits
2 a unit of sound (n.)
C2 Proficiency Technical Science

a single sound in a language, like the 'p' sound.

a distinct speech sound or gesture, regardless of whether it changes the meaning of a word.

Example

The linguist recorded every phone the speaker produced during the interview.

Example

In phonetic analysis, a phone is the physical reality of a sound, whereas a phoneme is its abstract mental representation.

Usage

Used as a countable noun in phonetics.
- speech sound

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3 to call someone (v.)
A1 Beginner

to call someone using a telephone.

to contact a person or organisation by telephone.

Example

I will phone you as soon as I get to the hotel.

Example

The manager phoned the supplier to complain about the late delivery and the damaged packaging.

Usage

Can be used with or without a direct object.

Etymology 1

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *kʷelh₁-der. Ancient Greek τῆλε (têle)lbor. French télé- Proto-Indo-European *bʰeh₂-der. Ancient Greek φωνή (phōnḗ)der. French -phone French téléphonebor. English telephone English phone Clipping of telephone; first attested in 1884.

Etymology 2

From Ancient Greek φωνή (phōnḗ, “sound”).

Word family

Nounheadphone
Nounphone

Idioms4 entries