call
A1Universal (Neutral across all registers)
Definition
Meaning
To use your voice to say something, typically to someone; to give a name to; to contact someone by phone.
A decision or judgment, e.g., a referee's call; a short visit; a demand or reason, e.g., 'no call for rudeness'; a characteristic sound, e.g., a bird's call; to summon or request.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a verb or noun. Noun sense often tied to an instance of the verb's action. Polysemous with meanings ranging from vocalization to decision-making to social visits. Context is crucial for disambiguation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Phrasal verbs: 'call round' (UK) vs. 'stop by' (US) for visiting. Noun: 'call box' (UK) vs. 'phone booth' (US). The noun 'call' for a short social visit is rarer in modern AmE.
Connotations
In business, 'conference call' is universal. 'To call someone out' has stronger confrontational connotations in AmE. 'A close call' (near miss) is universal.
Frequency
The verb for telephoning is equally common. The noun for a decision (e.g., 'that's your call') is slightly more frequent in AmE.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
call sb/sth + noun (They called him a hero.)call sb (for sth) (Call me for dinner.)call + adverb/preposition (She called out.)call that + clause (I call that rude.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “call it a day”
- “call the shots”
- “a close call”
- “call someone's bluff”
- “on call”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
To schedule a meeting: 'Let's call a meeting for Monday.' A decision: 'It's the CEO's call.'
Academic
To reference: 'The author calls this phenomenon "social drift."'
Everyday
To telephone: 'I'll call you later.' To visit: 'The doctor called at the house.'
Technical
In computing: 'A function call.' In sports: 'A line judge's call.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Could you call a taxi, please?
- I'll call round tomorrow afternoon.
- The referee called a foul.
American English
- Call 911 immediately!
- He called to say he'd be late.
- I call that cheating.
adjective
British English
- She is on call tonight at the hospital.
- It was a call option on the stock.
American English
- He works the call shift every Thursday.
- The call centre is now closed.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Please call me later.
- The teacher called my name.
- I heard a bird call.
- Let's call a meeting to discuss the problem.
- That was a close call with the car!
- He called his friend from the airport.
- The government called for calm after the protests.
- Historians call this period the 'Dark Ages'.
- She felt a strong call to help others.
- The chairperson called the board member out for his misleading figures.
- The design is a call back to the art deco style of the 1920s.
- You have to call upon all your reserves of courage.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a king CALLing out to summon his knights. The CALL is both his shout (voice) and his command (decision).
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNICATION IS A CONDUIT (to call out a message), DECISIONS ARE VERDICTS (to make a call), SUMMONING IS ATTRACTING (to call for attention).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Confusing 'call' (позвонить, назвать) with 'cry' (плакать, кричать).
- Overusing 'call' for 'visit' (визит) where 'visit', 'stop by', or 'come over' is more natural.
- Misinterpreting 'call off' (отменить) as simply hanging up the phone.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect valency: 'I called to him' (correct) vs. 'I called him' when shouting (requires 'to' or 'out to').
- Using 'call' as a noun for 'phone': 'Give me a call' (correct) vs. 'I have a call' (ambiguous, could be a decision or visit).
- Misspelling past tense: 'called' not 'callied'.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence does 'call' mean 'to predict or estimate'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Call' and 'phone' are standard and universal. 'Ring' (UK) is synonymous with 'call' for telephoning, but 'ring' is less common in AmE. 'Call' has many more meanings beyond telephoning.
It is a regular verb: call, called, called.
Yes, but usually with a particle like 'out', 'over', or 'down'. 'He called out my name' means he shouted it. Without a particle, 'call' typically implies summoning or telephoning.
It often means a decision ('your call'), a telephone conversation ('sales call'), or a scheduled meeting ('conference call').
Collections
Part of a collection
Daily Routine
A1 · 50 words · Words for describing your everyday activities and schedule.
Daily Verbs
A1 · 50 words · Essential action words used in everyday conversation.