speakerphone

Everyday

1. A speakerphone is a setting on a phone that lets you hear the caller through a loudspeaker, so everyone in the room can listen and talk without holding the phone. tree →
2. A speakerphone is also a phone or device that works this way. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life families put calls on speakerphone so everyone can talk to Grandma. Safety: drivers use speakerphone or hands-free so they don't hold the phone; you should tell the caller if others can hear. Phrases: on speakerphone, put it on speakerphone, switch to speakerphone.

Examples

• Mum put Grandma on speakerphone so we could all say hello. tree →
• Can you hear me? I'm on speakerphone. tree →
• Dad uses the speakerphone in the car. tree →
• Turn off the speakerphone, it's too loud. tree →
• The teacher called the head on speakerphone during class. tree →
• Let me switch to speakerphone so my brother can hear. tree →

Note

Usually one word, sometimes «speaker phone». We say «on speakerphone» (not «in»). Related: hands-free, loudspeaker.