Standard Lemma guide

answerphone

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • UK: /ˈæn.sɜː(ɹ)ˌfəʊn/
  • UK: /ˈæn.səˌfəʊn/

1

noun

Meaning 1

Synonym of answering machine, especially one built into a telephone.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Commonwealth, Ireland, UK

Examples

  • I keep trying to call her, but all I get is the answerphone.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: answering machine

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From answer + (tele)phone.