dialtone
Ready-to-call signal
A dial tone is the continuous humming sound a telephone makes when it's ready for you to dial a number.
Before mobile phones, picking up a landline receiver and hearing the dial tone confirmed the line was working.
The term persists as a metaphor for basic functionality or readiness: Make sure you have a dial tone before calling tech support.
Someone who "gets no dial tone" from another person receives no response or engagement.
Stationary wired telephone
- receiverOne who accepts transmission
- handsetHeld telephone component
- telephoneVoice communication device
- switchboardTelephone routing panel
operator · exchange · call · pickup · hangup · corded · rotary · touchtone
Rate of recurrence
- pitchFrequency of sound
- humLow steady sound
- waveformGraphed oscillation pattern
- hertzFrequency measurement unit
analog · continuous · steady · carrier · modulation · audio · sound · electronic
Suitable for use now
- waitingRemaining in expectation
- availableReady to be used
- connectedJoined to another
- activeIn operation now
idle · standby · prompt · indicator · confirmation · responsive · accessible · open
Total lack of sound
- deadNo longer alive
- cutSeverance or reduction
- outageLoss of electrical service
- disconnectionState of being severed
failure · nothing · troubleshoot · repair · service · unplugged · fault · interruption
landline
Stationary wired telephone
- receiverOne who accepts transmission
- handsetHeld telephone component
- telephoneVoice communication device
switchboard · operator · exchange · call · pickup · hangup · corded · rotary · touchtone · voicemail
frequency
Rate of recurrence
hertz · analog · continuous · steady · carrier · modulation · audio · sound · electronic · transmission
ready
Suitable for use now
active · idle · standby · prompt · indicator · confirmation · responsive · accessible · open · listening
silence
Total lack of sound
disconnection · failure · nothing · troubleshoot · repair · service · unplugged · fault · interruption
dialtonebusy signal
Telephonic rejection sound
engaged tone · ringtone · ringing · no signal · silence
dialtonesilence
Total lack of sound
dead air · disconnection · hang-up · out of service · static
dial, tone, dials, dialed, dialing, dialer, dialers, tones, toned