robocall: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
High (in US context) / Medium (in UK context)Informal, technical, journalistic.
Quick answer
What does “robocall” mean?
An automated telephone call delivering a pre-recorded message, typically for telemarketing, political campaigning, or scamming purposes.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An automated telephone call delivering a pre-recorded message, typically for telemarketing, political campaigning, or scamming purposes.
A system or instance of using automated technology to place a large volume of phone calls, often perceived as intrusive, impersonal, and a nuisance.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term originated and is most prevalent in American English, often discussed in the context of US telemarketing regulations. In UK English, the concept is familiar but the term 'automated call' or 'recorded message call' is also commonly used, especially in official contexts.
Connotations
Equally negative in both dialects, associated with scams, political spam, and nuisance marketing.
Frequency
Significantly more frequent in American English due to the volume of such calls and related media coverage. Less frequent but understood in UK English.
Grammar
How to Use “robocall” in a Sentence
to receive a robocall from [organisation]to be robocalled by [company/politician]to target [group] with robocallsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “robocall” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The campaign was criticised for planning to robocall thousands of households.
- It is illegal to robocall numbers on the Telephone Preference Service.
American English
- The senator's team robocalled the entire district last night.
- Companies can face huge fines if they robocall people without consent.
adjective
British English
- We are investigating a sophisticated robocall scam.
- New robocall technology is harder to block.
American English
- The robocall epidemic is a top consumer complaint.
- He filed a lawsuit against the robocall company.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Discussed as a marketing tool (with caution due to legality/opt-in requirements) or a compliance/regulatory issue.
Academic
Studied in sociology, communications, and law regarding privacy, regulation, and digital annoyance.
Everyday
Commonly complained about as an unwanted interruption; a shared experience of modern life.
Technical
Refers to systems using auto-diallers and pre-recorded messages, often in discussions of telecom infrastructure, STIR/SHAKEN protocols, and fraud prevention.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “robocall”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “robocall”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “robocall”
- Misspelling as 'robocalls' (plural) when using as a singular noun (e.g., 'I got a robocall').
- Using it as a verb without an object (incorrect: 'The company robocalls.' correct: 'The company robocalls residents.').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, not all. Legal robocalls include informational calls (e.g., flight cancellations), debt collection calls, and political calls. However, telemarketing robocalls to mobile phones or landlines require prior written consent in places like the US and UK.
A robocall is a type of spam call that is specifically automated. A spam call can also be a live person making an unsolicited call. All robocalls are spam calls, but not all spam calls are robocalls.
Yes, informally. For example: 'The company was fined for robocalling numbers on the Do Not Call list.'
You can register with national 'Do Not Call' lists, use your phone's built-in spam filtering, download call-blocking apps, and never press any buttons or answer questions from a suspected robocall.
An automated telephone call delivering a pre-recorded message, typically for telemarketing, political campaigning, or scamming purposes.
Robocall is usually informal, technical, journalistic. in register.
Robocall: in British English it is pronounced /ˈrəʊ.bəʊ.kɔːl/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈroʊ.boʊ.kɑːl/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The robocall epidemic”
- “Robocall hell”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a ROBOT making a CALL to your phone while you're busy. Robot + Call = Robocall.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNICATION IS AN INVASION / TECHNOLOGY IS IMPERSONAL.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary characteristic of a robocall?