wireless
/ˈwaɪə.ləs/ IELTSAcademic
adjective
Working without wires or cables, often by using radio signals. It describes devices, networks, or communication systems that connect remotely.
- I bought a wireless mouse for my laptop.
- Our office uses a wireless network.
noun
A wireless device, system, or service. In older English, it could also mean a radio set.
- The hotel offers free wireless.
- He listened to the wireless at home.
Adinary Nuance
Wireless is best when you want to stress the absence of cables or wires. It is narrower than wire-free, which is less common, and more technical than cordless in many contexts. For internet and devices, wireless is the normal, everyday choice.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- không dây
- Spanish
- inalámbrico
- Chinese
- 无线
- Japanese
- ワイヤレス
- Korean
- 무선
Etymology
Wireless formed in English in the late 1800s from wire + -less. It first described communication without physical wires, especially radio.
Common phrases
wireless internetwireless networkwireless headphoneswireless connection
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is wireless the same as cordless?
- Not always. Cordless usually means a device has no attached power cord. Wireless usually means it sends data without wires.
- Can I say wireless phone?
- Yes, but cordless phone is more common for home landline phones. Wireless is more common for internet and modern devices.
- Is wireless formal or informal?
- It is neutral and common in both speaking and writing.