a combining form meaning “speech sound” (homophone), “an instrument of sound transmission or reproduction” (telephone), “a musical instrument” (saxophone; xylophone).
(forming nouns) indicating voice, sound, or a device giving off sound: microphone, telephone
2.
(forming nouns and adjectives) (a person) speaking a particular language: Francophone
Derived Forms
-phonic, combining_form:in_adjective
Word Origin
from Greek phōnē voice, sound
Word Origin and History for -phone
word-forming element meaning "voice, sound," also "speaker of," from Greek phone "voice, sound," from PIE root *bha- (2) "to speak, say, tell" (cf. Latin for, fari "to speak," fama "talk, report;" see fame (n.)).