call
verb (transitive)
UK/kɔːl/US/kɔl/
To speak or shout out loudly to someone, to telephone or contact someone, or to give someone or something a specified name or label.
Example Sentences
He called his mother to check on her after finishing work late.
Please call a taxi as soon as possible.
The teacher called out the roll to mark attendance in the morning.
When you find out the test results, call me immediately.
She decided to call the new puppy ‘Buddy’ because of its friendly nature.
If you need assistance, you can always call out for help.
After several unsuccessful attempts to fix the plumbing on their own, they finally decided to call a professional who arrived with specialized tools and resolved the issue in no time.
She felt both nervous and excited as she picked up the phone to call her favorite author, hoping for a brief but meaningful conversation about his latest novel.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
noun (countable)
UK/kɔːl/US/kɔl/
An act of telephoning or shouting; a request for action or attention; sometimes a strong urge or demand for something.
Example Sentences
I received an urgent call from my supervisor this morning.
Her call for volunteers inspired many people to join the community event.
We got a surprise call late last night.
The official’s call for calm helped de-escalate the tension.
He missed his friend’s call because his phone was on silent mode.
The responders rushed to the scene after an emergency call alerted them to a house fire.
The board’s call for immediate budget revisions led to a late-night session, where every department head scrambled to provide accurate numbers and justifications for their expenditures.
Despite the hour growing late, she was relieved to see his name on the screen and quickly answered his call, eager to share her exciting news and hear his reassuring voice.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
How to Use
Used to summon, label, or contact someone or something.This verb serves multiple everyday functions, commonly understood as the act of summoning someone’s attention or contacting them by phone. For instance, you might say, “I need to call my friend to confirm our plans,” which implies using a phone or messaging app to initiate communication. It also appears when assigning or stating a name: “They call this place the City of Lights.” In that sense, it’s about labeling or referring to someone or something using a particular word or phrase. Additionally, it can be used to summon or request someone’s presence, as in “The teacher called the students to assemble in the hall,” which is effectively a request to gather. Context shapes its nuance—whether it’s to make a literal phone call, to label, or to gather people. You might also see it in idiomatic expressions such as “call off” (meaning to cancel), “call out” (to challenge or draw attention to something), or “call in” (to summon assistance or expertise). Ensuring clarity involves pairing it with clear subjects and objects: who’s calling, and what or whom they’re calling about. Thus, the verb remains versatile in daily life, spanning casual phone calls, formal announcements, or naming conventions where something or someone is “called” a particular term.
Alternatives
Several synonyms fit different contexts of this word. For phone conversations, “ring” is a common alternative in casual settings, as in “I’ll ring you later.” Meanwhile, “phone” or “telephone” functions well in more formal or explicit contexts (“I’ll telephone the office”). If you’re referring to summoning someone, you could use “summon,” “invite,” or “beckon,” each of which offers a slightly different nuance—“summon” is more authoritative, while “invite” is friendlier. When talking about naming or labeling, “refer to,” “term,” or “label” can be used. For instance, if you say, “They refer to this dish as a local specialty,” you remove the direct action of calling yet retain the sense of applying a name. In some contexts, “announce” or “pronounce” might fit if you need a more formal style, especially for official or ceremonial naming. Picking the most precise word depends on what you wish to emphasize: the method of communication (phone, in-person), the tone (casual, formal), or the function (naming, summoning, or announcing). By matching your synonym to the situation, you keep your language both accurate and engaging, ensuring that your listener or reader captures the exact meaning you intend.
Writing
When writing, using this term can accomplish multiple narrative or expository goals. If you’re drafting dialogue, it naturally conveys spoken interaction: “He called his sister to check in,” suggests a phone conversation and adds a personal touch. In narration, it can show naming or labeling conventions: “They called the newly discovered species ‘the silver-winged owl.’” For stronger imagery, pair “call” with descriptive phrases that highlight the nature or mood of the communication, such as “called urgently,” “called triumphantly,” or “called in a whisper.” Paying attention to context ensures you select the correct usage—whether referencing a literal phone call, a request or beckoning, or a formal announcement. Precision helps your writing stay clear; if you want to avoid ambiguity, clarify who is calling and the channel used. For instance, “She called out for help” differs significantly from “She called her friend on the phone.” Varying your verbs—perhaps substituting “summoned,” “telephoned,” or “referred to”—can also keep your text lively, preventing repetition. In informational writing, “call” can signpost a labeling process, as in “Economists call this phenomenon ‘market saturation,’” guiding readers to important terms. Ultimately, select the usage that best suits your tone and subject matter, weaving this straightforward verb seamlessly into your narrative or explanations.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, “call” is one of the most common go-to verbs for talking about phone interactions or quick summons. You might say, “I’ll call you later,” to promise future contact or “Call me when you get there” if you want a travel update. This straightforward approach keeps the discussion light and easy to follow. Beyond phone conversations, “call” covers spontaneous labeling—like “They call that new café the best in town”—or brief social gestures—“I called my friend over for a chat.” You can also hear it in common idiomatic expressions, such as “call it a day” (to stop working on something) or “call someone out” (to challenge someone’s behavior or statement). These phrases quickly convey everyday feelings or actions without extensive explanation, making them ideal for informal contexts. While casual conversation doesn’t usually demand perfect grammar, be mindful of clarity—mention who is calling and for what reason. That helps avoid misunderstandings, especially if you’re coordinating schedules or passing along important details. Above all, “call” is flexible; it adjusts smoothly to either texting slang or easygoing spoken English, ensuring your message comes across without fuss or ambiguity. Pair it with your normal speaking style and add relevant context for effortlessly natural communication.
Etymology
The verb “call” comes from the Old Norse term “kalla,” meaning “to cry loudly,” and has Proto-Germanic roots connecting to the idea of shouting or speaking out. Early uses focused on using one’s voice to summon or hail someone. Over centuries, Middle English and Old English speakers assimilated similar words from Norse influences, evolving the term beyond literal shouting to mean beckoning or inviting. As telecommunication technologies emerged, “call” swiftly adapted to describe contacting someone by telephone, maintaining the essence of reaching out with one’s voice—albeit through wires and signals instead of face-to-face speech. Meanwhile, the figurative sense of “naming” someone or something also blossomed, reflecting our human inclination to label and categorize the world around us. Thus, while the word’s beginnings center on loud vocal calls, it now serves as a linguistic shortcut for everything from official designations to everyday phone usage. Its enduring popularity underscores how a simple concept—calling out—can shift meaning across time, geography, and technology, becoming a mainstay in our lexicon for making contact, assigning a title, and inviting or gathering people together.