landline
B2neutral, but increasingly formal/archaic as the technology recedes.
Definition
Meaning
A telephone connection using physical cables, as opposed to a mobile/cellular network.
1. A telephone connected to a fixed landline network, typically at home or in an office. 2. The service of providing such a connection (e.g., 'I still have a landline').
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term has become marked by the rise of mobile phones; it is now often used in contrast to 'mobile', 'cell', or 'wireless'. It can refer to the physical phone, the line, or the service.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In American English, 'landline' is standard; 'home phone' or 'house phone' is a common informal alternative. In British English, 'landline' is also standard, but 'home phone' is also used informally. There is no major lexical difference.
Connotations
Slightly more antiquated or formal in both varieties. In business contexts, it can imply reliability or an official contact number.
Frequency
Frequency of use has declined sharply in both varieties since the 2000s, but the term remains well-understood. It appears more in contexts discussing phone services, older demographics, or technical/emergency planning.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
to have a landlineto call someone on their landlineto get/install a landlineto disconnect/cancel the landlineVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “chained to the landline (old-fashioned, implying lack of mobility)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used to refer to official, non-personal contact numbers for offices or to ensure call quality. 'Please provide your business landline.'
Academic
Rare, except in sociological studies of communication technology adoption or historical surveys.
Everyday
Common when differentiating a home number from a mobile. 'I'll call you on your landline; the mobile signal is poor here.'
Technical
Used in telecommunications to distinguish circuit-switched wired networks from wireless/cellular networks.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- N/A (landline is not used as a verb).
American English
- N/A (landline is not used as a verb).
adverb
British English
- N/A (landline is not used as an adverb).
American English
- N/A (landline is not used as an adverb).
adjective
British English
- The landline connection is more reliable during storms.
- We offer a landline-only package.
American English
- What's your landline number for the contact form?
- Landline service in rural areas is disappearing.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My grandparents have a landline.
- What is your landline number?
- I still keep a landline at home for emergencies.
- The office landline is 0207 123 4567.
- Many young people no longer see the point of installing a landline.
- Customer service often requires a callback to a registered landline for security.
- The gradual phasing out of the copper landline network has caused issues for older alarm systems.
- In the survey, only 15% of respondents under 30 reported having an active landline connection.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'LAND' as in fixed to the ground/land, and 'LINE' as in telephone line. A phone physically attached to a place.
Conceptual Metaphor
STABILITY IS BEING PHYSICALLY ROOTED (vs. mobility/freedom of a mobile phone).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Russian 'стационарный телефон' (stationary telephone) is the direct equivalent; avoid literal translations like 'земляная линия'.
- The word 'landline' itself is a compound easily understood; no need to overcomplicate the translation.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling as 'land line' (though sometimes accepted, the solid form 'landline' is standard).
- Using it to refer to any non-mobile phone, even VoIP phones that use internet cables (technically not a traditional landline).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'landline' LEAST likely to be used today?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is standard as one word: 'landline'. The hyphenated form 'land-line' is archaic.
Traditionally, yes, but with modern fibre (FTTP) and full-fibre services, you can often get broadband without an active traditional landline phone service.
Perceived advantages include better sound quality, reliability during power outages (if not cordless), and a fixed location for emergency services.
The technology is being phased out in many countries in favour of VoIP and mobile networks, making the term and the service increasingly less common, though still in use.