on the telephone

communication technology

The phrase "on the telephone" is commonly used to describe the act of talking to someone using a telephone device.

🇺🇸 US Voice:

🇬🇧 UK Voice:

Definition

A2General

(informal)Engaged in a conversation using a telephone.

Example

She is currently on the telephone with a client.
Please wait a moment; he is on the telephone.

B2Historical

(dated, UK)Connected to a telephone system.

Example

In the early 20th century, not every household was on the telephone.

Similar

Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "on the telephone":

on the phone phone in telephone call phone up pick up the phone voice call on the line telephone number telephone conference telephone shower phone home phone bank call up hold the phone white telephone call in telephone operator call on pillar telephone telephone exchange