THE TELEPHONE: VOCABULARY

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

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