summon
B2Formal, technical (legal, gaming), literary.
Definition
Meaning
to authoritatively call someone to come or to appear, often for a specific purpose or duty.
To officially order someone to be present or to bring something into action or existence, often with an implication of urgency, authority, or a mystical connotation (e.g., summoning a spirit).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
In modern usage, it often carries an official or urgent tone. In gaming/fantasy contexts, it specifically means to magically call forth a creature or entity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major differences in meaning. The noun forms 'summons' (singular) and 'summonses' (plural) are used identically in legal contexts.
Connotations
Slightly more common in British legal/official discourse; equally prevalent in US fantasy/gaming contexts.
Frequency
Comparable frequency; slightly higher in British corpora due to traditional official language.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[VN] to summon sb/sth[VN to inf] summon sb to do sth[VN adv/prep] summon sb to/from sthVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “summon up (courage/strength/memories)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
To formally call a meeting or request someone's immediate presence.
Academic
Used in legal/historical texts about calling parliament or witnesses; in literary analysis regarding 'evocation'.
Everyday
Often used for mustering inner resources ('summon courage') or humorously ('summon the will to get up').
Technical
Core term in gaming for calling creatures; in IT, can refer to calling a process or service.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The magistrate summoned the defendant to the court.
- She had to summon all her resolve to finish the marathon.
American English
- The judge summoned the jury for deliberation.
- He tried to summon up an excuse for being late.
adverb
British English
- The wizard gestured summoningly.
- He spoke summoningly to the ancient spirits.
American English
- She looked at him summoningly, expecting an answer.
- The document was worded summoningly.
adjective
British English
- The summoning ritual was complex.
- He received a summoning letter from the council.
American English
- The summoning spell required rare components.
- Her summoning authority was unquestioned.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The teacher will summon the class to the hall.
- Can you summon a doctor?
- He had to summon his courage before the speech.
- The police summoned the witness for an interview.
- Parliament was summoned for an emergency session.
- The game allows you to summon magical creatures to aid you.
- The novel summons a vivid portrayal of post-war London.
- She managed to summon the requisite votes to pass the motion.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a king with a SUM of MONey, using it to SUMMON his knights.
Conceptual Metaphor
AUTHORITY IS A SUMMONS (legal), BRINGING THE INVISIBLE INTO PRESENCE IS SUMMONING (magical).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не путать с 'summarize' (суммировать).
- В значении 'вызывать духа' — именно 'summon', а не 'call'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'He was summon to court.' Correct: 'He was summoned to court.' (needs past participle)
- Overuse in informal contexts where 'call' or 'ask for' is more natural.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'summon' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'summons' is primarily a noun (e.g., 'a court summons'). The verb is always 'summon'.
'Summon' implies greater formality, authority, or urgency. You 'call' a friend, but a judge 'summons' a witness.
Yes, e.g., 'summon help', 'summon memories', 'summon an image'.
It is a regular verb: 'summoned'.