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call

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verb American English pronunciation: call /kɔl/ 
Word Forms
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present tense
I/you/we/theycall
he/she/itcalls
present participlecalling
past tensecalled
past participlecalled
Other entries for this word
 
  1. 1
    [transitive] [often passive] to ask or tell someone to come to a place, usually so that you can talk to them
    call someone across/up/over/to etc.:

    She called me up to the office to explain the new policy.

    He called me over and gave me a talking-to.

    be called to a meeting/the telephone:

    He's been called to a meeting with the vice-president.

    be called before something:

    Robinson was called before the commission last week.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of call
    1. a.
      [transitive] to telephone a person or organization that provides a service and ask them to come

      Can you call a taxi for me?

      call the police/the fire department/an ambulance:

      Jack went to call an ambulance.

      Eventually the police were called.

      be called to something:

      Firefighters were called to a blaze at a school.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of call
    2. b.
      [transitive] to order someone to be present or give evidence in a court of law

      She was scared she would be called to testify.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of call
  2. 2
    [intransitive/transitive] to speak loudly, or to shout to someone who is not near you

    Did you call me?

    Her father called up the stairs.

    call to someone for something:

    Paul called to the waiter for another drink.

    call to someone to do something:

    He called to the driver to stop.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of call
  3. 3
    [intransitive/transitive] to telephone someone

    He called her from the hospital.

    For more information call 1–800–555–3820.

    call (someone) to do something:

    I'll call to confirm the time of the meeting.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of call
    See also  collect2
  4. 4
    [transitive] to describe or refer to someone or something in a particular way
    call someone/something something:

    The President called him "a genuine hero."

    I would call what's happening there a war.

    sometimes/commonly/often called:

    It is sometimes called the Garden State because there are so many areas with trees and plants.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of call
    1. a.
      to say that something is a particular amount, although this is not the exact amount
      call something something:

      You owe me $5.08, so let's call it five even.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of call
    2. b.
      to criticize someone, or to say unpleasant things about them
      call someone something:

      They called me stupid and useless.

      Are you calling me a liar?

      call someone names (=unpleasant names):

      The other children teased her and called her names.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of call
    3. c.
      to describe yourself in a particular way
      call yourself something:

      He has no right to call himself a good neighbor.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of call
  5. 5
    [transitive] to use a particular name or title for someone
    call someone something:

    Her name's Elizabeth, but we call her Liz.

    call someone by their first name/last name/nickname:

    The teachers always called us by our last names.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of call
    1. a.
      to give someone or something a name or title

      Have you decided what to call the dog yet?

      call someone/something something:

      If the baby is a boy, they'll call him William.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of call
  6. 6
    [transitive] to say loudly the names or numbers on a list

    When I call your name, raise your hand.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of call
    1. a.
      to announce that passengers should go to their airplane because it will soon be leaving

      It'll be another 45 minutes before our flight is called.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of call
  7. 7
    [transitive] to announce that an event such as a meeting or election is going to happen

    Harris wants to call a meeting to discuss the new proposals.

    The country should dissolve its parliament and call an election.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of call
  9. 9
    [intransitive/transitive] to say what you think will happen, for example in politics or business
    hard/difficult to call:

    The situation in the East is hard to call.

    It's very difficult to call the market.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of call
    1. a.
      to say which side of a coin you think will be showing when it comes down after being tossed in the air
      call heads/tails:

      When Neil tossed the coin, she called heads and won.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of call
    See also  close2
  10. 10
    [transitive] American to ask for a time-out (=a short period when play stops) during a sports game

    The referees called time while the clock was reset.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of call
    1. a.
      American to end a sports game early, usually because of the weather

      The ball game was called in the seventh inning because of rain.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of call
    2. b.
      to make an official decision about something that happens in a sports game

      When the umpire called him out, the fans went wild.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of call

phrases

This is the American English definition of call. View British English definition of call.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to British English.

View the pronunciation for call.

 

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