# wireless

/ˈwaɪɹɫɪs/ (US) · /wˈaɪələs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/wireless
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. without wires

adjective · CEFR A2

describing technology that sends information through the air instead of using cables.

For teachers: relating to any system of communication or power transmission that does not use physical wires or cables.

- The office has a wireless network so everyone can work on their laptops anywhere.
- The transition to wireless infrastructure allowed the hospital to implement real-time patient monitoring without the clutter of traditional cabling.

### 2. internet connection

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal

a connection to the internet that does not use a cable.

For teachers: a wireless local area network or internet connection, often used as a synonym for Wi-Fi in casual contexts.

- Is there wireless in this café, or do I need a password?
- The hotel provides free wireless throughout the building, though the signal strength varies significantly between floors.

### 3. a radio

noun · CEFR C1 · British English · Archaic

an old-fashioned word for a radio set.

For teachers: a radio receiving apparatus. This sense is primarily restricted to older generations of British speakers.

- My grandmother used to sit by the wireless every evening to hear the news.
- In the 1940s, families would gather around the wireless to listen to wartime broadcasts and variety shows.

Usage: Usually used with the definite article 'the'.

Teaching tip: Modern speakers almost exclusively use 'radio'; 'the wireless' is typically heard in period dramas or when speaking with the elderly.

## Examples

- The office has a fast wireless network.
- Most modern laptops connect to the internet through a wireless router rather than an Ethernet cable.
- The rapid adoption of wireless charging technology has significantly reduced the wear and tear on physical ports for mobile devices.

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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.