busy signal
Call cannot connect
A busy signal is the repeated tone heard when calling a phone line already in use, indicating the connection cannot be completed.
The term extends to any indication that someone or something is unavailable: I've been trying to reach her all week but keep getting the busy signal.
With call waiting and voicemail now standard, actual busy signals have become rare.
Quality of sound
- dialGraduated circular indicator
- redialRepeat a call
- landlineStationary wired telephone
- handsetHeld telephone component
receiver · switchboard · exchange · ringback · call waiting · hold · disconnect · cut-off
State of being bothered
- impatienceIntolerance of delay
- redialRepeat a call
- waitingRemaining in expectation
- delayEnforced waiting period
hindrance · obstacle · missed connection · voicemail · retry · hang up · give up
Pledged to marry
- occupiedCurrently in use
- unreachableCannot be accessed
- inaccessibleCannot be reached
- unobtainableImpossible to acquire
unanswered · blocked · tied up · in use · no answer · try again · callback
Stationary wired telephone
- rotary phoneCircular-dial telephone
- dial toneSound indicating phone readiness
- phone boothEnclosed public telephone station
- cordFlexible twisted strand
wall phone · analog · answering machine · long distance · collect call · operator · party line
tone
Quality of sound
handset · receiver · switchboard · exchange · ringback · call waiting · hold · disconnect · cut-off · subscriber
annoyance
State of being bothered
- impatienceIntolerance of delay
- redialRepeat a call
- waitingRemaining in expectation
delay · hindrance · obstacle · missed connection · voicemail · retry · hang up · give up
engaged
Pledged to marry
- occupiedCurrently in use
- unreachableCannot be accessed
- inaccessibleCannot be reached
unobtainable · unanswered · blocked · tied up · in use · no answer · try again · callback
landline
Stationary wired telephone
- rotary phoneCircular-dial telephone
- dial toneSound indicating phone readiness
- phone boothEnclosed public telephone station
cord · wall phone · analog · answering machine · long distance · collect call · operator · party line
- delaysdelays, delay, delayed, postponement, postpone
- phone callsphone number, robocall, cell number, cold call, mobile number
- phone servicesvoicemail, caller ID, call waiting, call forwarding, call blocking
- callsphone call, call back, callback, missed call, incoming call
- call centerscold call, inbound call, outbound, call volume, queue
- dial-upmodem, 56k, 56k modem, dial tone, screeching
busy, business, businessman, businesslike, busies, businesswoman, busied, busying, busyness