Telephone Terms

Here are some of the words and terms that we use to talk about telephoning.

• answer :to say "hello" into the phone when it rings
• answering machine :something that you can record a message on if the person you are calling isn't home
• busy signal :a beeping sound that tells the caller that the other person is already on the phone with someone else
• call :a telephone conversation; to telephone
• caller :the person who telephones
• call back/phone back :to call someone who called you first
• call display :a screen that shows you who is calling
• cellular phone/cell phone :a telephone that you can take with you away from your house; mobile phone
• cordless phone:a phone that is not attached to the wall (you can walk short distances with it at home or in the garden)
• dial :to press the buttons on the phone
• dial tone :the sound the phone makes when you pick it up
• directory/phone book :a book that alphabetically lists local phone numbers of people and businesses
• hang up :to put the receiver down and end a call
• operator :a person who answers telephone-related questions when you dial "0"
• pager :a small machine you wear that makes a noise (or vibrates) when someone wants you to call them
• phone :a telephone; to telephone
• phone booth/pay phone :a place where you can pay to use a telephone in public
• pick up :to answer the phone
• receiver :the piece on the phone that you speak into and listen from
  ring: the sound a phone makes when somebody calls; to make that sound
• ringer:the sound-piece that alerts a person that a call is coming through