Call: meaning, definitions and examples

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call

[kɔːl ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Noun}

phone

A telephone call is a connection over a telephone network between the calling party and the called party.

Synonyms

phone call, telephone call.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
call	This is a general term that can be used in most situations where one person contacts another using a phone. It is informal and widely understood. I'll give you a call later. Can you call me back when you're free?
phone call	This term is more specific than 'call' and emphasizes the means of communication, i.e., the phone. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts. I need to make a phone call to my doctor. He received a phone call from his boss.
telephone call	This is a more formal term and is often used in professional settings or in writing. It is less commonly used in everyday conversation. Please make a telephone call to confirm the appointment. The customer lodged a complaint through a telephone call.

Word

Description / Examples

call

This is a general term that can be used in most situations where one person contacts another using a phone. It is informal and widely understood.

I'll give you a call later.
Can you call me back when you're free?

phone call

This term is more specific than 'call' and emphasizes the means of communication, i.e., the phone. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

I need to make a phone call to my doctor.
He received a phone call from his boss.

telephone call

This is a more formal term and is often used in professional settings or in writing. It is less commonly used in everyday conversation.

Please make a telephone call to confirm the appointment.
The customer lodged a complaint through a telephone call.

Examples of usage

I received a call from my friend yesterday.
She made a call to the customer service department.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

communicate

To call means to communicate with someone by telephone.

Synonyms

dial, phone.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
call	Same word, but it can also refer to the act of shouting out to get someone's attention. He had to call for help when he got lost in the woods. She called her dog's name loudly, but he didn't come back.
phone	This can be used as a verb and is more modern. It is generally interchangeable with 'call,' but may sound a bit more formal. It can also refer to the device itself. I'll phone you once I arrive at the airport. Please phone the office if you have any questions. Where did you leave your phone?
dial	This word is specifically used to describe the action of entering a series of numbers to make a phone call. It's slightly more technical. Make sure you dial the correct number to reach customer service. He dialed the number carefully, afraid of making a mistake.

Word

Description / Examples

call

Same word, but it can also refer to the act of shouting out to get someone's attention.

He had to call for help when he got lost in the woods.
She called her dog's name loudly, but he didn't come back.

phone

This can be used as a verb and is more modern. It is generally interchangeable with 'call,' but may sound a bit more formal. It can also refer to the device itself.

I'll phone you once I arrive at the airport.
Please phone the office if you have any questions.
Where did you leave your phone?

dial

This word is specifically used to describe the action of entering a series of numbers to make a phone call. It's slightly more technical.

Make sure you dial the correct number to reach customer service.
He dialed the number carefully, afraid of making a mistake.

Examples of usage

I will call you when I arrive.
He called his parents to let them know he was safe.

Translations

Translations of the word "call" in other languages:

🇵🇹 chamar

ligar
telefonar

🇮🇳 कॉल करना (kaul karna)

बुलाना (bulana)
फ़ोन करना (phone karna)

🇩🇪 rufen

anrufen
nennen

🇮🇩 memanggil

🇺🇦 дзвонити

викликати
називати

🇵🇱 dzwonić

nazywać
wołać

🇯🇵 呼ぶ (yobu)

🇫🇷 appeler

🇪🇸 llamar

🇹🇷 aramak

🇰🇷 부르다 (bureuda)

🇸🇦 اتصل (ittasal)

🇨🇿 volat

zavolat
nazývat

🇸🇰 volať

zavolať
nazývať

🇨🇳 打电话 (dǎ diànhuà)

🇸🇮 poklicati

klicati
imenovati

🇮🇸 hringja

🇰🇿 қоңырау шалу (qoñyrau şalu)

🇬🇪 დარეკვა (dareqva)

🇦🇿 zəng etmək

🇲🇽 llamar

Etymology

The word 'call' originated from the Old Norse word 'kalla', which means 'to cry out'. Over time, it evolved to refer to the act of summoning or contacting someone, especially through a telephone. The concept of a 'call' has become deeply ingrained in modern communication, symbolizing connection and conversation.

See also: caller, calling, callous, calls, callus, recall.

Word Frequency Rank

With position #451, this word is vital for basic English fluency. It appears very frequently in everyday language and should be among the first words you learn and actively use.

...
448 structure
449 community
450 range
451 call
452 attention
453 heart
454 construction
...