smartphone: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very High (C2 in CEFR frequency bands)Neutral, used across all registers from informal to formal
Quick answer
What does “smartphone” mean?
a mobile phone that performs many of the functions of a computer, typically having a touchscreen interface, internet access, and an operating system capable of running applications.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
a mobile phone that performs many of the functions of a computer, typically having a touchscreen interface, internet access, and an operating system capable of running applications
A portable, multifunctional digital device that has largely replaced separate phones, cameras, music players, and organizers, becoming central to communication, entertainment, navigation, and information access in modern life
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences; the compound spelling as one word (smartphone) is standard in both, though older texts might hyphenate 'smart-phone'. Pronunciation differences follow general BrE/AmE patterns
Connotations
Identical connotations of modernity, connectivity, and digital dependence
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both varieties, with slight regional variation in preferred manufacturers and operating systems
Grammar
How to Use “smartphone” in a Sentence
use [a smartphone]buy [a smartphone]check [something] on [a smartphone]install [an app] on [a smartphone]charge [a smartphone]upgrade to [a smartphone]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “smartphone” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He's constantly smartphoning during meetings
- I need to smartphone my boss about the delay
American English
- She smartphones while walking, which is dangerous
- Let me smartphone you the directions
adverb
British English
- He checked his messages smartphone-quick
- She responded smartphone-fast
American English
- He answered smartphone-quick
- The notification came smartphone-instant
adjective
British English
- The smartphone generation relies on instant access
- Smartphone usage has increased dramatically
American English
- Smartphone technology evolves rapidly
- We live in a smartphone world
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Employees are issued company smartphones for communication and productivity apps
Academic
Researchers used smartphone apps to collect real-time survey data from participants
Everyday
I dropped my smartphone in the toilet and now it won't turn on
Technical
The latest smartphones feature 5G connectivity and multi-lens camera systems
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “smartphone”
Strong
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “smartphone”
- Spelling as two words 'smart phone' (should be one word or hyphenated in formal writing)
- Using plural when referring to single device: 'He has two smartphone' instead of 'two smartphones'
- Confusing with tablets: 'I read books on my smartphone' (correct) vs 'I watch movies on my smartphone' (possible but tablet might be better)
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Modern dictionaries list it as one word (smartphone), though older style guides sometimes hyphenate it (smart-phone). The one-word version is now standard
All smartphones are mobile phones, but not all mobile phones are smartphones. Smartphones have advanced computing capabilities, internet access, and app ecosystems, while basic mobile phones (feature phones) primarily handle calls and texts
The term 'smart phone' appeared as early as 1995, but it gained widespread usage after 2007 with the introduction of the iPhone and Android devices, establishing the modern smartphone paradigm
Informally, yes—'to smartphone' means to use or operate a smartphone, though this usage is colloquial and not yet fully established in formal registers
a mobile phone that performs many of the functions of a computer, typically having a touchscreen interface, internet access, and an operating system capable of running applications.
Smartphone is usually neutral, used across all registers from informal to formal in register.
Smartphone: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsmɑːt.fəʊn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsmɑːrt.foʊn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[someone] is glued to their smartphone”
- “smartphone zombie (pedestrian distracted by phone)”
- “[something] is just a smartphone away”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: SMART + PHONE - a phone that's smart (intelligent) like a computer
Conceptual Metaphor
A pocket-sized brain / A digital Swiss Army knife / An extension of the self
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT typically a characteristic of a modern smartphone?