Is 'summoned' only used for people?

No. While often used for people, it can also be used for abstract qualities (courage, strength), services (a taxi, a program), or even memories/images.

What's the difference between 'summoned' and 'called'?

'Summoned' is more formal and implies greater authority, urgency, or effort. 'Called' is general and neutral. You 'call' a friend, but a judge 'summons' a witness.

Can 'summoned' be used in a technological context?

Yes, this is increasingly common, especially in American English. E.g., 'summoned a smart assistant', 'summoned a file', 'summoned a car' (via an app).

What is the noun form related to 'summoned'?

The primary noun is 'summons' (plural: summonses), meaning a formal order to appear. 'Summoning' is the verbal noun/gerund (the act of summoning).

Is “summoned” formal?

Summoned is usually formal, neutral in register.

How do you pronounce “summoned”?

Summoned: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsʌmənd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsʌmənd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

summoned: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

UK/ˈsʌmənd/US/ˈsʌmənd/

Formal, neutral

My Flashcards

Quick answer

What does “summoned” mean?

To call upon someone or something to appear, attend, or be present, often with authority or urgency.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

To call upon someone or something to appear, attend, or be present, often with authority or urgency.

To call forth a feeling, quality, or response from within oneself or others; to electronically signal a device or service to activate or respond; to legally order someone to appear in court.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

Usage is largely identical. British English may slightly favour 'summoned to appear' in legal contexts, while American English sees common use in tech ('summoned a ride'). The verb 'summons' (to serve with a summons) is more common in UK legal parlance.

Connotations

Conveys formality and authority in both varieties. In everyday US English, it can sound slightly dramatic or archaic unless used in specific contexts (tech, legal).

Frequency

Moderately frequent in both, with higher frequency in legal, administrative, and literary contexts.

Grammar

How to Use “summoned” in a Sentence

[NP] summoned [NP] (to/for NP)[NP] summoned [NP] to V-inf[NP] summoned [NP] from NP[NP] summoned [NP] into NP

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

summoned to courtsummoned to appearsummoned to a meetingsummoned the couragesummoned helpsummoned before a committee

medium

summoned reinforcementssummoned a spiritsummoned a taxisummoned a witnesssummoned from retirementsummoned to duty

weak

summoned a smilesummoned memoriessummoned an imagesummoned to the officesummoned to the headmaster's study

Examples

Examples of “summoned” in a Sentence

verb

British English

The magistrate summoned the defendant to appear next Thursday.
He summoned all his willpower to finish the marathon.
The ambassador was summoned to the Foreign Office for consultations.

American English

The judge summoned the jury into the courtroom.
She summoned a rideshare to get to the airport.
The board summoned the CEO to explain the losses.

adjective

British English

The summoned witness waited nervously in the corridor.

American English

The summoned players gathered for the team meeting.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

The CEO summoned the department heads for an emergency briefing.

Academic

The historian argues that the crisis summoned forth unprecedented acts of communal solidarity.

Everyday

I summoned a food delivery app because I was too tired to cook.

Technical

The function summons a new instance of the widget when the user clicks the button.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “summoned”

Strong

convenedmusteredmobilizedissued a summons to

Neutral

calledsent forrequested the presence of

Weak

beckonedinvitedasked to come

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “summoned”

dismisseddisperseddischargedsent away

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “summoned”

Using 'summoned' for a casual, non-authoritative invitation (e.g., 'I summoned my friend for coffee' – too strong). Incorrect past tense 'summoneded'. Confusing 'summoned' with 'summed up'.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: No. While often used for people, it can also be used for abstract qualities (courage, strength), services (a taxi, a program), or even memories/images.
: 'Summoned' is more formal and implies greater authority, urgency, or effort. 'Called' is general and neutral. You 'call' a friend, but a judge 'summons' a witness.
: Yes, this is increasingly common, especially in American English. E.g., 'summoned a smart assistant', 'summoned a file', 'summoned a car' (via an app).
: The primary noun is 'summons' (plural: summonses), meaning a formal order to appear. 'Summoning' is the verbal noun/gerund (the act of summoning).
: To call upon someone or something to appear, attend, or be present, often with authority or urgency.
: Summoned is usually formal, neutral in register.
: Summoned: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsʌmənd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsʌmənd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“Summoned from the ranks”
“Summoned to the colours (UK, mil.)”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Imagine a SUMMONer (like in a game or fantasy) who calls forth allies. The 'sum' part sounds like 'some' – you call SOME people to come. + 'moned' sounds like 'commanded'.

Conceptual Metaphor

AUTHORITY IS A SUMMONS (e.g., the law summons you), INTERNAL RESOURCES ARE SUMMONABLE ENTITIES (e.g., summon courage), TECHNOLOGY IS A CONJURATION (e.g., summon a car).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

Feeling nervous, he all his courage before stepping onto the stage.

Multiple Choice

In which context is the use of 'summoned' LEAST appropriate?