What is telephone booth? How to use in English

Definition & pronunciation of telephone booth

telephone boothnoun

buồng điện thoại

/ˈtelɪfəʊn buːð//ˈtelɪfəʊn buːθ/

Where does the word telephone booth come from?

The term "telephone booth" originated in the early 20th century when telephones became more widely available in public spaces. Prior to the advent of mobile phones, making a quick telephone call often required finding a public telephone located in a designated booth. The term "booth" originally referred to a small enclosed space that could be rented out for various purposes, such as for performing plays or selling goods. In the context of telephones, the term came to describe the small, enclosed structures where people could make private calls away from the public fray. These booths typically featured a single telephone, a seat, and a door that could be locked, providing users with a private space to conduct their conversations. Today, the popularity of mobile phones has largely rendered these booths obsolete, but they remain a nostalgic symbol of a bygone era when making a call required venturing out into the street.

Example of vocabulary telephone boothnamespace

  • John quickly ducked into the old-fashioned telephone booth on the corner to make a private call.
  • The telephone booth in the train station was outdated and had seen better days, but it was the only option for making a call in that location.
  • After hanging up the phone, Sarah wiped down the telephone booth with disinfectant wipes, being mindful of germs during these uncertain times.
  • The telephone booth was a relic from a bygone era, but it still held sentimental value for the elderly woman waiting outside, as it reminded her of the way things used to be.
  • The telephone booth was vacant except for a small redestinal message scrawled in permanent marker on its inside walls.

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