fax
C1Informal to formal (depending on context)
Definition
Meaning
A system for sending copies of documents electronically via telephone lines; the document sent.
To send a document via fax; an old-fashioned communication method now largely replaced by email.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun but also used as a verb (to fax). Can refer to the machine, the document, or the act of sending. Strongly associated with 1980s-1990s business technology.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor spelling differences (fax/faxed/faxing vs. fax/faxed/faxing). Slightly more common in UK business contexts for official documents.
Connotations
Both regions: dated technology, official/paper trail, slower communication. UK: sometimes preferred for legal signatures. US: often considered obsolete.
Frequency
Declining sharply in both, but persists in specific sectors (law, medicine, shipping).
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
fax somebody somethingfax something to somebodyfax overfax throughVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Lost in the fax (similar to 'lost in the mail')”
- “The fax of life (pun on 'facts of life')”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Still used for contracts, signed authorizations, and in industries resistant to digital-only records.
Academic
Rare; largely replaced by PDF email submissions.
Everyday
Used humorously or to refer to obsolete technology ('Remember fax machines?').
Technical
In telecommunications history, or specific legacy systems.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Please fax the signed contract to our London office by close of play.
- Could you fax it through to the headteacher?
American English
- Fax the form to the main headquarters before the deadline.
- He faxed over the proposal yesterday.
adjective
British English
- Do you have a fax confirmation for that order?
- The fax header must be included.
American English
- I need a fax copy of your driver's license.
- Is this a fax transmission report?
Examples
By CEFR Level
- This is a fax machine.
- My mum got a fax at work.
- I will send you the information by fax.
- The hotel needs a fax of your booking confirmation.
- Despite the prevalence of email, some legal documents still require a signed fax.
- The faxed instructions were unclear, so I had to call for clarification.
- The antiquated policy mandating faxed submissions hindered the efficiency of the application process.
- The contract's validity was contingent upon the receipt of a faxed signature page.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'FACS' as in 'facsimile' – a perfect copy sent far away.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNICATION IS TRANSMISSION (of a physical object).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'факс' as a direct verb (like 'я факсил'). Use 'отправить по факсу' or 'зафаксить' (colloquial).
- Don't confuse with 'fax' as a brand name for a machine.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect past tense: 'faxed' not 'faxxed'.
- Using 'a fax' for the machine and 'a fax' for the document can be ambiguous.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'fax' MOST likely still used seriously today?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is both. You can 'send a fax' (noun) or 'fax a document' (verb).
No, it has been largely superseded by email and document scanning. However, it persists in specific legal, medical, and governmental contexts where a 'telephonic' signature is accepted.
The full word is 'facsimile', which means an exact copy. 'Fax' is a shortened form.
The correct past tense is 'faxed' (e.g., 'I faxed it yesterday').
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