answering service: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Business
Quick answer
What does “answering service” mean?
A business that answers telephone calls on behalf of clients, takes messages, and sometimes provides additional communication services.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A business that answers telephone calls on behalf of clients, takes messages, and sometimes provides additional communication services.
Any system or service designed to receive and manage communications (especially phone calls) in the absence of the intended recipient, including modern digital or automated equivalents.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is used and understood in both varieties. In the UK, 'telephone answering service' is a slightly more formal variant. The concept is identical.
Connotations
Neutral in both. May carry a slight connotation of professionalism or formal business practice.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English business contexts, but common in both.
Grammar
How to Use “answering service” in a Sentence
SUBJ uses/hires/contracts [answering service] for OBJ (e.g., for their business)SUBJ is provided by [answering service]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “answering service” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The clinic is answering serviced by a dedicated company.
- We need to get our lines answering serviced.
American English
- The practice is answering-serviced by a national provider.
- They decided to answering-service their after-hours calls.
adverb
British English
- The calls were handled answering-service efficiently.
- They operate answering-service professionally.
American English
- They responded answering-service promptly.
- It was managed answering-service perfectly.
adjective
British English
- They offer an answering-service solution.
- The answering-service contract was renewed.
American English
- We reviewed the answering-service fees.
- It's an answering-service company.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Common. 'Small firms often use an answering service to project a more professional image.'
Academic
Rare, except in historical or sociological studies of business practices.
Everyday
Understood but not frequently used in casual conversation; 'voicemail' is more common for personal use.
Technical
Used in telecommunications and business service descriptions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “answering service”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “answering service”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “answering service”
- Using 'answering machine' (a physical device) interchangeably with 'answering service' (a business).
- Misspelling as 'answer service'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. Traditionally, an answering service involves live operators. Voicemail is automated. However, the terms are sometimes used loosely, especially for automated business services.
Yes. Many businesses, especially in healthcare, legal, and emergency repair, prefer the personal touch and flexibility of a live answering service over an automated system.
Many modern answering services offer enhanced services like appointment scheduling, order taking, and basic customer support, not just message-taking.
Costs vary widely based on call volume and services required. It can range from a modest monthly fee for a small business to significant contracts for large volume 24/7 coverage.
A business that answers telephone calls on behalf of clients, takes messages, and sometimes provides additional communication services.
Answering service is usually formal, business in register.
Answering service: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɑːnsərɪŋ ˌsɜːvɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈænsərɪŋ ˌsɜːrvɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Someone's] phone is never answered by a human, just the answering service.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a SERVICE that ANSWERS for you when you can't.
Conceptual Metaphor
A COMMUNICATION PROXY (it stands in for you in conversations).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of an answering service?