Noun / Verb A2 — Elementary /fəʊn/

Phone — Definition, Examples & Pronunciation

A telephone or the act of calling one — the word that keeps the world talking.

Quick Definition

Phone (noun) — a telephone; a device used to speak to someone at a distance, or to exchange messages and access the internet. Informally short for mobile phone or smartphone.

Phone (verb) — to call someone using a telephone: I'll phone you tonight.

Phone (noun, linguistics) — a single speech sound, considered independently of its role in a language's sound system.

What Does Phone Mean?

Phone is a short form of telephone, which was coined in the 1870s from the Ancient Greek roots tēle (far away) and phōnē (voice). By the late 19th century, everyday speakers had already clipped it to the single syllable we use today. That Greek root phōnē is also the origin of words such as microphone, phonetics, symphony, and saxophone.

In modern British English, phone most often refers to a mobile phone or smartphone. Saying "I left my phone at home" will always be understood as a mobile device, whereas "the phone" with the definite article more commonly refers to a landline: "She answered the phone on the second ring." Both uses are completely standard.

As a verb, phone is interchangeable with call and ring in informal British English, though style varies by region and generation. Older speakers often prefer ring ("Give me a ring later"), while call sounds natural to both British and international audiences. All three are correct.

Example Sentences by CEFR Level

SentenceLevel & note
She uses her phone to practise English with language-learning apps every morning. A2 — everyday routine; phone as smartphone
Can I borrow your phone? Mine has run out of battery. A2 — simple request; common everyday situation
He phoned the doctor's surgery as soon as it opened to book an appointment. B1 — phone as verb; formal context
The customer was kept on hold for twenty minutes before anyone answered the phone. B2 — collocation: answer the phone; passive structure
Excessive phone use before bedtime has been linked to disrupted sleep patterns in adolescents, according to several longitudinal studies. C1 — academic register; noun modifier; complex sentence

Collocations

CollocationExample
answer the phoneNobody answered the phone when I called.
make a phone callI need to make a quick phone call before we leave.
check your phonePlease don't check your phone during dinner.
pick up the phoneJust pick up the phone and ask them directly.
hang up the phoneHe hung up the phone without saying goodbye.
phone someone backShe said she would phone me back after lunch.
be on the phoneSorry, I can't talk — I'm on the phone to my bank.
charge your phoneRemember to charge your phone before the trip.
lose your phoneHe lost his phone on the bus and had to buy a new one.
over the phoneWe sorted everything out over the phone.

Usage Notes

Phone vs. ring vs. call (verb): In British English all three mean "to telephone someone". Ring is very informal and common in everyday speech; phone is neutral; call works in both British and American English and suits formal writing. Avoid mixing registers in a single text.

Mobile phone vs. phone: In contemporary British English, phone without a modifier usually means a mobile phone. Use landline to specify a fixed telephone at home or in an office.

Phone as a noun modifier: Phone can act as a modifier before other nouns: phone call, phone number, phone bill, phone screen, phone battery, phone charger. These compound nouns are written as two separate words (no hyphen) in standard British English.

Linguistics use: When writing about phonetics or phonology, phone refers to any audible speech sound and is transcribed in square brackets, e.g. [f]. Distinguish this from a phoneme (written in slashes, e.g. /f/), which is the abstract unit that distinguishes meaning.

Common Mistakes

Watch Out For

I phoned to him last night to confirm the details.

I phoned him last night to confirm the details. (phone takes a direct object — no preposition)

She did a phone call to her teacher.

She made a phone call to her teacher. (the correct collocation is make a phone call)

Can you give me your phone number of mobile?

Can you give me your mobile number? (or: your phone number) (do not mix both in one phrase)

Related Words

telephone mobile smartphone landline call ring phonetics microphone earphone headphone

Practise This Word

Flash Cards Complete the Sentence Vocabulary Quiz Hangman

Frequently Asked Questions about “phone”

What does phone mean in English?
Phone has two main meanings. As a noun, it refers to a telephone — a device that lets you speak to someone at a distance, either a mobile phone or a landline. As a verb, to phone means to call someone using a telephone: 'I'll phone you this evening.' In linguistics, a phone is any single speech sound, regardless of whether it changes meaning.
Is phone a noun or a verb?
Phone is both a noun and a verb. As a noun: 'My phone needs charging.' As a verb: 'She phoned her mother every Sunday.' The verb use is slightly more formal than 'call' in British English, though both are widely accepted in everyday speech and writing.
What is the difference between phone, call, and ring in British English?
In British English, all three can mean contacting someone by telephone. 'Ring' is very common informally: 'Give me a ring later.' 'Phone' is neutral and widely used: 'Phone me when you arrive.' 'Call' is also used but can feel slightly more American to British ears. All three are correct; the choice depends on register and personal preference.
What is the correct preposition after phone?
When phone is used as a verb, it takes a direct object with no preposition: 'I phoned him' (not 'I phoned to him'). When used as a noun in phrases, you are 'on the phone', you speak 'by phone' or 'over the phone', and you put someone 'on hold'. The most common mistake is adding 'to' after the verb: say 'phone someone', not 'phone to someone'.
What are common collocations with phone?
Common collocations include: answer the phone, make a phone call, check your phone, put someone on hold, pick up the phone, hang up the phone, phone someone back, be on the phone, lose your phone, and charge your phone. These fixed combinations are used by native speakers far more often than unusual alternatives.
What is the difference between mobile phone, smartphone, and cell phone?
In British English, the standard term is 'mobile phone' or simply 'mobile'. 'Smartphone' refers specifically to a mobile phone with internet access and apps. 'Cell phone' (or 'cellphone') is the North American equivalent of 'mobile phone'. In everyday British speech, people often just say 'phone' regardless of type.
How do you say phone in IPA?
The IPA transcription of phone is /fəʊn/ in British English and /foʊn/ in American English. The word is one syllable. The initial sound /f/ comes from the Greek letter phi (φ), which is why 'ph' is pronounced as /f/ in words of Greek origin such as phone, photo, and philosophy.
What is the origin of the word phone?
Phone comes from Ancient Greek 'phōnē' (φωνή), meaning 'voice' or 'sound'. The noun telephone was coined in the 1830s from Greek 'tele' (far) + 'phōnē' (voice), and was shortened to phone in everyday use by the late 19th century. The same Greek root gives us microphone, saxophone, phonetics, and symphony.
Can phone be used as a linguistics term?
Yes. In linguistics, a phone is any distinct speech sound, represented in square brackets in phonetic transcription — for example, [p] or [b]. This is different from a phoneme, which is the smallest sound unit that distinguishes meaning in a particular language. All phonemes are phones, but not all phones are phonemes.
How can I practise using phone in English?
Try LexFizz's Flash Cards to test phone alongside related vocabulary, or use the Complete the Sentence exercise to practise collocations such as 'answer the phone' and 'make a phone call'. Listening to English podcasts or phone-based dialogues is another excellent way to hear phone used naturally in context.