# phone number

CEFR A1 · Compound

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/phone-number
Updated: 2026-04-24

## Definition

The special sequence of numbers you use to call a person or a business on the telephone.

For teachers: A unique sequence of digits assigned to a telephone line or device, used to route calls to a specific recipient.

## Examples

- Can I have your phone number?
- He saved the new phone number in his contacts so he wouldn't forget it.
- The old address book contained a phone number for a person who had not been heard from in over a decade.

## Pitfalls

- Not "number of phone" but "phone number" — In English compound nouns, the describing word ('phone') usually comes before the main noun ('number').

## Usage notes

- This compound noun is often written as two words, though 'phonenumber' is a common informal variant.
- Teaching tip: Stress falls on the first word, 'PHONE number', which is a typical stress pattern for English compound nouns.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.