Words / B1

mohb-yl-FOHN/ˌməʊbaɪl ˈfəʊn/

A mobile phone (id: mobile-phone) is a portable telephone you can carry (UK; also a mobile; US cell phone). A landline is a home or office phone on a wire; a smartphone is a mobile with internet apps. Lessons: a mobile phone stays in the bag; calling home from class is not allowed.

Meaning

A portable telephone you can carry with you (UK; also a mobile; US cell phone).

Examples

• “A mobile phone stays in the bag in lessons; calling home from class is not allowed.”
• “Mobile-phone use in the exam hall is malpractice; even a switched-off phone in a pocket still counts.”

Good to know

a mobile phone (UK). Close: a mobile. US: a cell phone. Contrast: a landline. Lessons / exams. Countable. Mix-up: mobile can also mean able to move, or a hanging toy.

Near in meaning

mobile

New