Unit 4

Word

Definition

Example

call back

To return a phone call

I can't talk now. I'll call you back

cut off

To abruptly end a phone call or connection

I was cut off when the train went into a tunnel

dialling

The act of entering numbers to make a call

I'm just dialling the number now

engaged

The line is in use, and another call cannot be made at the moment

The line is engaged. Do you want to hold?

go off

To ring or sound, like an alarm or notification

His phone went off in the middle of the concert

hang up

To end a phone call by placing the receiver back on the hook

I couldn't wait any more so I hung up

leave a message

To record and leave a voicemail for someone

Can you leave a message on my voicemail?

messaging

The act of sending text messages or instant messages

I'm messaging my friend. We're arranging our plans

monthly contract

A phone service plan with regular monthly payments

Do you have a monthly contract on your phone?

pay as you go

A phone service plan where usage is paid for upfront

I rarely use this phone. I have a pay as you go contract

phone network

The infrastructure and system that connects phone calls

Which phone network are you on?

put on hold

To place a caller in a waiting state during a phone call

She's put me on hold while she finds out the answer

ringtone

A sound or tune that indicates an incoming call or message

Do you have a special ringtone on your phone?

send a text message

To transmit a written message via mobile phone

They sent me a text message with my appointment time

swipe

The act of sliding one's finger across a touchscreen

I'm just swiping through my photos

voicemail

A system for recording and storing voice messages

Can you leave a message on my voicemail?

amazed

Astonished or greatly surprised

I was amazed by our son's exam results

amazing

Remarkable, astonishing, or impressive

The view from our hotel room is amazing

bored

Feeling uninterested or weary

I'm bored – let's do something

boring

Dull or lacking interest or excitement

This film is really boring

depressed

Feeling sad, despondent, or discouraged

She was feeling depressed so she went to her doctor

depressing

Causing feelings of sadness or despair

I find winter depressing

disappointed

Feeling let down or dissatisfied

My parents were disappointed with my exam results

disappointing

Failing to meet expectations or hopes

My exam results were a bit disappointing

embarrassed

Feeling self-conscious or ashamed

I was embarrassed when I fell over in the town centre

embarrassing

Causing feelings of awkwardness or shame

It was embarrassing when my dad danced at my party

excited

Feeling enthusiastic or eager

I was excited on the first day of the course

exciting

Thrilling or causing excitement

The action film was really exciting

frightened

Feeling afraid or scared

I was frightened when I heard that noise late at night

frightening

Causing feelings of fear or terror

It's frightening to walk through the woods at night

frustrated

Feeling irritated or exasperated

I'm frustrated by the wifi problems

frustrating

Causing feelings of irritation or annoyance

Using this website is frustrating

tired

Feeling fatigued or weary

I'm tired so I'm going to bed

tiring

Physically or mentally exhausting

I like going to the gym, but it's tiring

appropriate

Suitable or fitting for a particular purpose or context

It's not always appropriate to take photos without asking

bad manners

Rude or impolite behavior

I think it's bad manners to leave chewing gum on the street

decline

To refuse or reject an offer or invitation

It's rude to aggressively decline food from your hosts

give permission

To grant someone the authority or approval to do something

You should wait for people to give permission to begin

high/ low note

A musical sound of higher or lower pitch

Can you sing a very high or very low note?

inappropriate

Not suitable or proper for a given situation

I think that was inappropriate. You shouldn't do it again

inconsiderate

Thoughtless or lacking consideration for others

It's inconsiderate to take up extra space when it's crowded

monopolize

To dominate or control something completely

Don't monopolize the conversation. Let everyone speak

musical instruments

Devices used to produce music, such as guitars, pianos, etc

Which musical instruments do you like?

octave

A musical interval between two notes of the same name

How many octaves can you play on a piano?

rude

Impolite, disrespectful, or ill-mannered

I think that's rude. You should apologise

selfish

Concerned only with one's own interests or needs

It's selfish to do that. Remember to help other people

tune

A melodious sequence of musical notes

Do you like this tune? - It sounds great