payphone: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to informal
Quick answer
What does “payphone” mean?
A public telephone that requires payment to operate, typically by coins, credit card, or phone card.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A public telephone that requires payment to operate, typically by coins, credit card, or phone card.
A symbol of public communication, pre-mobile era technology, or a situation requiring a physical, non-private call. Also used metaphorically to denote outdated or impersonal communication.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In British English, the spelling is typically 'payphone' (single word). In American English, both 'pay phone' (two words) and 'payphone' are used, with 'pay phone' being slightly more traditional. The concept is identical.
Connotations
Similar connotations in both varieties: public, sometimes unreliable, associated with the late 20th century.
Frequency
Declining in literal, everyday use in both varieties, but maintained in vocabulary due to cultural references (e.g., songs, films).
Grammar
How to Use “payphone” in a Sentence
Use [the/a] payphoneCall [someone] from a payphoneFind a payphone [somewhere]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “payphone” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- I'll need to payphone my mum from the station.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in contexts like telecommunications infrastructure or urban planning.
Academic
Rare; may appear in historical, sociological, or media studies discussing communication technology.
Everyday
Used when referring to finding or using one, or nostalgically.
Technical
Used in telecom engineering or public service provision contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “payphone”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “payphone”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “payphone”
- Using 'telephone booth' (the structure) and 'payphone' (the device inside) interchangeably without context. Spelling as 'pay phone' in consistent UK contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both 'payphone' (single word) and 'pay phone' (two words) are accepted, with 'payphone' being more common in modern British English and 'pay phone' having historical prevalence in American English.
No, their numbers have declined dramatically worldwide due to the ubiquity of mobile phones. They are now rare and often found in specific locations like transport hubs or areas with poor mobile reception.
A 'payphone' is the physical telephone device itself. A 'phone booth' (or 'telephone box' in the UK) is the enclosed structure that may contain a payphone. You use the payphone inside the booth.
It is extremely rare and non-standard to use 'payphone' as a verb. Standard usage is as a noun only.
A public telephone that requires payment to operate, typically by coins, credit card, or phone card.
Payphone is usually neutral to informal in register.
Payphone: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpeɪfəʊn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpeɪˌfoʊn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “I'm at a payphone (pop culture reference)”
- “A payphone in the rain (metaphor for lonely/desperate communication)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: You must PAY to use this public PHONE.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PAYPHONE IS A PUBLIC, IMPERSONAL NODE OF COMMUNICATION.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most accurate definition of a 'payphone'?