What does phone mean?
A phone is a device for communicating by voice, most commonly a mobile phone but also a landline telephone. The word can additionally denote a telephone call, as in phrases such as “I need to make a phone call.” As a verb, phone means to contact someone by calling them, and it is especially common in British, American, and international English. The term is shortened from telephone and, in contemporary usage, often identifies a mobile or smartphone. It is a flexible everyday word: one can make or answer a phone call, give someone a phone number, or use a phone for messages, internet access, and many other functions beyond voice communication. In business contexts, “please phone” is a concise and professional way to request contact by telephone.
A device used to communicate by voice, especially a telephone or mobile phone; by extension, a telephone call.
"The new phone has a much longer battery life."
Phone is a countable noun. When referring specifically to a mobile phone, mobile or cellphone may be used, while telephone can suggest a fixed-line device or a more formal context.
To call or contact someone by telephone.
"I will phone the office as soon as I get home."
Phone is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts, particularly in British and American English.
Use phones for multiple telephone devices or mobile phones.
"The company provides new phones to its employees."
The word phone ultimately comes from the Greek phōnē, meaning “sound” or “voice,” which also lives on in words such as phonetics, phonology, and symphony.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does phone come from?
The word comes from Greek phōnē, meaning “sound” or “voice,” through the development of telephone and related forms. Telephone was formed using the Greek-derived element tele-, meaning “far,” together with phōnē, before English shortened it to phone. The same Greek root is preserved in words such as phonetics, phonology, phoneme, and symphony.
How phone is actually used
As a countable noun, phone commonly refers to a mobile phone in both British and US English, while telephone is often used for a fixed-line device or in more formal contexts. As a verb, phone is neutral and widely used, especially in business and everyday communication. In some professional settings, call may sound more natural.