A1verb1K

Call

UK /["/kɔːl/","/kɔːlz/","/kɔːld/","/ˈkɔːlɪŋ/"]/US /["/kɔːl/","/kɔːlz/","/kɔːld/","/ˈkɔːlɪŋ/"]/

Definition

to give somebody/something a particular name; to use a particular name or title when you are talking to somebody

In simple words: to shout or say someone's name loudly

Examples

  • I will call you later this evening.
  • Please call for help if you need it.
  • He decided to call the meeting to order.
  • They always call each other on weekends.
  • The teacher will call the students by their names.
  • We can call this project a success.
  • The dog will call for its owner when it's hungry.
  • She received a call from her friend yesterday.

Usage notes

Use 'call' when you want to get someone's attention or talk to them on the phone. Avoid using it in very formal writing.

Grammar pattern

call + object

Memory hint

Think of a 'call' as a loud shout - imagine calling your friend from across a park.

Collocations

  • commonly
  • frequently
  • formerly
  • by
  • you could hardly call something…
  • you would hardly call something…
  • back
  • ahead
  • free
  • commonly
  • frequently
  • formerly
  • by
  • you could hardly call something…
  • you would hardly call something…
  • softly
  • loudly
  • out
  • for
  • to
  • softly
  • loudly
  • out
  • for
  • to

Synonyms

  • recall
  • recall
  • question

Antonyms

  • hang up
  • ignore

Common mistakes

  • 'Call' is sometimes confused with 'name' (e.g. 'I call him Tom' instead of 'I named him Tom').
  • 'Call' can be misused as a noun when it should be a verb (e.g. 'I make a call' instead of using 'call' directly).