telephone
A rotary-dial telephone
Meanings
Noun
- A telecommunication device (originally mechanical, and now electronic) used for two-way talking with another person (now often shortened to phone).
- The game of Chinese whispers.
- Chinese whispers; a situation in which an initial message has been distorted and misunderstood by being passed from person to person.
Verb
- To (attempt to) contact someone using the telephone.
- To convey (a message) by telephoning.
Related
Similar words
Origin
- First used by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876 to refer to the modern instrument, but previous devices had been given this name, which was borrowed from French téléphone. Ultimately from Ancient Greek τῆλε ("afar") + φωνή.
Modern English dictionary
Explore and search massive catalog of over 900,000 word meanings.
Word of the Day
Get a curated memorable word every day.
Challenge yourself
Level up your vocabulary by setting personal goals.
And much more
Try out Vedaist now.