TEL-uh-fohnz
/ˈtɛləˌfoʊnz/
telephones is pronounced TEL-uh-fohnz (/ˈtɛləˌfoʊnz/). Telephones refers to devices used for transmitting vocal or other sounds over a distance, typically via electrical signals. In plural form, it denotes multiple such devices or the act of making calls via those devices. The term blends the prefix tele- (far) with phones (sound or voice), capturing the function of long-distance communication.
Telephones refers to devices used for transmitting vocal or other sounds over a distance, typically via electrical signals. In plural form, it denotes multiple such devices or the act of making calls via those devices. The term blends the prefix tele- (far) with phones (sound or voice), capturing the function of long-distance communication.
"The office updated its telephones system to handle more simultaneous calls."
"During the outage, staff used mobile devices as backups while the main telephones line was restored."
"Telephones in the exhibition gallery displayed historical models from the early 20th century."
Pronounce as /ˈtɛlɪˌfoʊnz/. The primary stress falls on the first syllable: TE-lə-phones, with a secondary emphasis on the second syllable. Begin with a crisp /t/ followed by a short /ɛ/ as in 'tell,' then a light /l/ with a relaxed jaw. The second syllable features /ɪ/ and a clear /foʊn/ where /oʊ/ is a long diphthong. End with /z/. Mouth positions: tip of the tongue behind the upper teeth for /t/, relaxed lips for /ɛ/, slight elevation of the tongue for /l/, then /ɪ/ as a quick vowel, rounded lips for /oʊ/ in /foʊ/, and vocalized /z/. Audio reference: consider listening to standard pronunciations on reputable dictionaries for confirmation.
Common errors include misplacing the primary stress (e.g., TElephones vs. tel-ə-phones), pronouncing /foʊnz/ as /fɔnz/ or /foz/, and dropping the final /z/ making it sound like /ˈtɛlɪˌfoʊn/. To correct: keep the initial strong stress on TE-, ensure the /oʊ/ is a true long diphthong in /foʊn/, and clearly voice the final /z/. Practice with minimal pairs like 'telephone' vs 'telephones' to feel the plural suffix. Listening to native pronunciations helps solidify the contrast.
In US English, /ˈtɛlɪˌfoʊnz/ with a rhotic /ɹ/ influence occurs in connected speech, but the word itself remains non-rhotic in isolated form; the /oʊ/ is a clear diphthong. UK English often maintains a slightly crisper /æ/-like quality in some speakers but keeps /ˈtɛlɪˌfəʊnz/ with /əʊ/ for /oʊ/. Australian English typically merges vowels toward more centralized or rounded qualities, still preserving /ˈtɛlɪˌfəʊnz/ but with subtle schwa tendencies and a somewhat flatter intonation. In all varieties, the final /nz/ cluster tends to stay voiced, though tempo can affect clarity.
The difficulty centers on the final consonant cluster /nz/ after a long /oʊ/ vowel and the secondary stress pattern. The transition from /foʊn/ to /z/ requires precise voicing without voicing loss in rapid speech. Additionally, the /t/ to /ɛ/ sequence at the start demands careful tongue placement to avoid a slurred start, and the /l/ in /tɛlɪ/ can blend if the jaw relaxes. Practice keeping the non-stressed syllables quick while maintaining clarity on TE- and -phones.
The plural suffix -s adds a voiced /z/ sound, which can lead to devoicing if the preceding vowel is hurried. The secondary stress on the middle syllable in many dialects means you must hold a light, slightly louder /ɪ/ before the /foʊnz/. This word also challenges speakers to maintain contrastive clarity between /foʊn/ and /foʊnz/, especially in connected speech where assimilation may alter voicing or length.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "telephones"!
US: Rhotics influence not critical in isolated word, but in connected speech you may hear /ɹ/ as a linking feature. UK: Maintain crisper /foʊnz/ with less centralized vowel; AU: Subtle vowel changes toward /əʊ/ or /ɒ/ in some dialects. Vowel differences: /ɛ/ remains similar; be mindful of /ɪ/ in the second syllable being reduced in faster speech. IPA references: US /ˈtɛlɪˌfoʊnz/, UK /ˈtɛlɪˌfəʊnz/, AU /ˈtɛlɪˌfəʊnz/. Consonants: keep /l/ clear, avoid flapping in careful speech, maintain voicing on /z/ in all varieties.
The word telephones derives from the Greek prefix tele- meaning 'far' and the word phone from Greek phōnē meaning 'voice' or 'sound'. The combined term telephones was coined in the late 19th century to describe devices enabling long-distance voice transmission. The root 'phone' has Indo-European lineage, with cognates across many languages, reflecting a long history of sound and voice. The earliest concepts of remote communication sought to emulate distant speech, culminating in devices that could convert sound waves into electrical signals and back again. The first known usage of the term telephones appeared in the phonographic and telegraphic discourse of the 1870s-1880s, aligning with the rapid development of telephone technology following Bell’s groundbreaking work. Over time, 'telephone' shifted from a singular device to a family of devices and, in broader contexts, to the systems and services enabling voice communication. The plural form 'telephones' simply marks more than one device or instance of use, and the term has remained stable in English usage, though it often coexists with brand-specific or service-specific terms in modern contexts.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "telephones" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "telephones" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "telephones" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "telephones"
-nes sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
