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.