Quick answer
Walkie-Talkie means a portable two-way radio. It is usually pronounced WAW-kee-TAW-kee, and today it is still readable to modern audiences, even if it sounds more deliberate than everyday speech.
Word page
Walkie-Talkie
Walkie-Talkie means a portable two-way radio. It belongs to compound oddballs and repetitive words and works best in comic lists, children’s language, and places where sound matters as much as meaning. It still feels usable today, especially when you want a word with more character than the plainest alternative.
At a glance
compound-wordreduplicativeplayful
How to say it
Meaning in plain English
In plain English, walkie-talkie refers to a portable two-way radio. It is most useful when a plain label would tell the truth but miss the tone, flavor, or comic edge.
Why this word feels absurd
Walkie-Talkie feels absurd because the hyphen makes it sound assembled for comic effect, slamming two blunt pieces of language together into one memorable label.
Origin and history
Walkie-Talkie is generally traced to twentieth-century rhyming radio slang. In modern use, the history matters less than the strong tone the word still carries.
Is this word still used today?
Walkie-Talkie is still usable today, especially when you want language that feels more distinctive than the plainest modern alternative.
Example sentences
- The crew used walkie-talkies to coordinate the event.
- Give each child a walkie-talkie for the scavenger hunt.
- Security staff were already speaking over their walkie-talkies.
- The toy version looked silly but worked surprisingly well.
When should you use this word?
Use walkie-talkie when you want a more vivid, characterful choice than the plain everyday alternative. It works especially well in comic lists, children’s language, and places where sound matters as much as meaning.
Similar words
two-way radio, radio handset, transceiver
Opposite or contrasting words
smartphone, written note
Common questions
- What does walkie-talkie mean? a portable two-way radio.
- How do you pronounce walkie-talkie? It is commonly pronounced WAW-kee-TAW-kee.
- Is walkie-talkie still used today? Walkie-Talkie is still usable today, especially when you want language that feels more distinctive than the plainest modern alternative.
- When should you use walkie-talkie? Use walkie-talkie when you want a more vivid, characterful choice than the plain everyday alternative. It works especially well in comic lists, children’s language, and places where sound matters as much as meaning.
- What words are similar to walkie-talkie? Similar words include two-way radio, radio handset, and transceiver.
Editorial note
Edited by Absurd Words. Last updated: May 9, 2026. See the editorial policy for how definitions, examples, labels, and update checks are handled on the site.