speed dial: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Neutral to Informal
Quick answer
What does “speed dial” mean?
A feature on a phone (landline or mobile) allowing a user to call a preset number by pressing a single button or digit.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A feature on a phone (landline or mobile) allowing a user to call a preset number by pressing a single button or digit.
By extension, any quick-access method for initiating a process or contacting someone, especially via modern digital interfaces.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. The term is equally common in both varieties. Spelling remains the same.
Connotations
Both share the same neutral/functional connotation.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in AmE corpus data, likely due to greater marketing of the feature historically.
Grammar
How to Use “speed dial” in a Sentence
to have [someone] on speed dialto put [someone/something] on speed dialto speed dial [number/person]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “speed dial” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- Just speed dial 3 for the office.
- I'll speed dial her if it's urgent.
American English
- Speed dial 9 for the front desk.
- He speed dialed his lawyer immediately.
adverb
British English
- Not standard; the term is not used as an adverb.
American English
- Not standard; the term is not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The speed-dial function is easy to programme.
- It's a handy speed-dial shortcut.
American English
- Check the speed-dial settings on your phone.
- She used a speed-dial key for emergencies.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"The client is so important we have their CEO on speed dial."
Academic
Rare, except in historical/sociological studies of communication technology.
Everyday
"I've got my mum on speed dial so I can call her quickly."
Technical
"The firmware allows for eight speed-dial entries stored in non-volatile memory."
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “speed dial”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “speed dial”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “speed dial”
- Using as a countable noun incorrectly (e.g., 'I have three speed dials' is less common than 'I have three numbers on speed dial'). Confusing 'speed dial' (feature) with 'redial' (action).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is standardly written as two separate words, though hyphenated when used as a compound adjective (e.g., speed-dial button).
Yes, especially in informal contexts (e.g., 'Speed dial 1 for customer service'). The past tense is typically 'speed-dialed' (AmE) or 'speed-dialled' (BrE).
Yes, though the interface has changed. Favourite contacts, pinned chats, and toolbar shortcuts are conceptual descendants of speed dial.
'Redial' calls the last number dialled again. 'Speed dial' calls a pre-stored number assigned to a shortcut.
A feature on a phone (landline or mobile) allowing a user to call a preset number by pressing a single button or digit.
Speed dial is usually neutral to informal in register.
Speed dial: in British English it is pronounced /ˈspiːd ˌdaɪəl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈspid ˌdaɪ(ə)l/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to have someone on speed dial (figurative: to be in very frequent contact)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
SPEED DIAL: Think of a SPEEDometer going fast to DIAL a number quickly.
Conceptual Metaphor
SPEED IS ACCESSIBILITY / CONVENIENCE IS PHYSICAL PROXIMITY (having someone 'on' speed dial).
Practice
Quiz
What is the most common modern extension of 'speed dial'?