telephone directory — A book or database containing an alphabetical list of telephone subscribers and their phone numbers
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: A book or database containing an alphabetical list of telephone subscribers and their phone numbers
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈtelɪfoʊn dɪˈrektəri/
Example Sentences
- My grandmother still keeps a telephone directory next to her landline phone, even though she has a smartphone.
- The telephone directory was so thick that Tom used it as a booster seat for his short friend at dinner.
- She accidentally used the old telephone directory as kindling for the fireplace, burning away thousands of phone numbers.
telephone directory
NOUN[/ˈtelɪfoʊn dɪˈrektəri/]
A book or database containing an alphabetical list of telephone subscribers and their phone numbers
Grandma flips through the thick telephone directory to find the plumber's number.
Mapping criminal territory through every telephone directory
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
Telephone derives from Greek tele (distant) and phone (sound), literally meaning 'distant sound'. Directory comes from Latin dirigere (to guide or direct), originally referring to a book that directs or guides. The compound term developed in the late 19th century to describe a reference book listing telephone numbers and subscriber information.
Breakdown
tele- (Greek: far, distant) + phone (Greek: sound, voice) + -directory (Latin dirigere 'to direct' + -ory suffix indicating a collection or list). The complete phrase means 'a guide to distant voice communication'.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My grandmother still keeps a telephone directory next to her landline phone, even though she has a smartphone.”
“The telephone directory was so thick that Tom used it as a booster seat for his short friend at dinner.”
“She accidentally used the old telephone directory as kindling for the fireplace, burning away thousands of phone numbers.”
“The telephone directory search revealed that three people with the same name lived in the same neighborhood.”
📚Related Words
Want to master 27,000+ words?
Sign up free for flashcards & quizzes.