1call 
/ˈkɑ:l/ verb
calls; called; call·ing /ˈkɑ:l/ verb 1 a always followed by an adverb or preposition : to speak in a loud voice [no obj] ▪ He called to passersby for help. ▪ She called up to her husband, who was at the top of the stairs. ▪ Her husband called back down to her. ▪ She saw her friends across the street and called over/across to them. [+ obj] ▪ He called her name in his sleep. — see also call out 1 (below)
b [+ obj] : to announce or read (something) in a loud voice
▪ call the roll ▪ call (off) a row of figures ▪ They're calling [=announcing] our flight: it's boarding at gate 57. — see also call out 1 (below)
c [no obj] of a bird or animal : to make the sound that is usual for a particular type of bird or animal
▪ The birds were calling as the sun rose. 2 : to make a telephone call [no obj] ▪ I call once a week to talk to my parents. ▪ Where are you calling from? ▪ May I say who's calling? ▪ Thank you for calling. ▪ Please call back/again later. ▪ She called long-distance. [+ obj] ▪ I try to call my parents at least once a week. ▪ She called me long-distance. ▪ I called the office to get some information. ▪ Please call us back/again later. ▪ Don't call us—we'll call you. ▪ In an emergency you should call [=dial] 911. ▪ Call me when you get back from your vacation. — see also call 3b (below), call in 1 (below), call up 1 (below) 3 [+ obj] a : to tell, order, or ask (someone or something) to come
▪ I called the waiter over (to my table) and asked for the check, and then I called him back to order something else. ▪ My dog comes running when he's called. ▪ She was called to court to testify. ▪ He was called to the office for an interview. ▪ soldiers who have been called to active duty ▪ He's not home because he was called away on business.
b : to make a telephone call to tell, order, or ask (someone or something) to come
▪ We had to call an ambulance. ▪ He called a taxi but it still hasn't come. ▪ He called a taxi for me. = He called me a taxi. — see also call 2 (above) 4 [+ obj] a : to give a name to (someone or something)
▪ Her parents called [=named] her Katherine after/for her grandmother. ▪ The immigrants settled along the river and called their new town “Brookhaven.”
b : to talk to or refer to (someone or something) with a specified name
▪ Her name is Katherine but her friends all call her “Kitty.” ▪ This part of the city is called “The Old Town.” ▪ It's important to call things by their right names. ▪ Human beings belong to a large group of animals called “mammals.” ▪ The other children called him (bad) names. [=the other children spoke to him with cruel and insulting words in place of his name] — see also name-calling
c : to regard or think of (someone or something) in a certain way
▪ Some people say he's a good man, but I call him a fool. [=I consider him to be a fool] ▪ She went out in the rain without an umbrella? I call that pretty foolish. ▪ He's not what you would call a generous man. [=he's not a generous man] ▪ Her sense of humor is what you might call subtle. [=she has a subtle sense of humor] ▪ (You can) Call me foolish if you like, but I still think people are basically good. ▪ It costs 99 cents: let's call it an even dollar for simplicity's sake. ▪ You may not agree with him, but he calls them like he sees them! [=he states his opinion in an open, honest, and direct way] ▪ You did me a favor and I did you a favor, so let's call it even. 5 [+ obj] : to give the order for (something, such as a meeting)
▪ call [=convene] a meeting ▪ call an election ▪ The union has threatened to call a strike against the company. ▪ The chairman called a halt to [=stopped] the discussion. 6 [no obj] : to make a brief visit
▪ He called to pay his respects. ▪ We're planning to call [=stop] at a friend's house on the way home. — see also call at (below), call for 2 (below), call in 2 (below), call on 5 (below) 7 [+ obj] : to say or guess what the result of something will be
▪ Nobody else thought the election would turn out as it did, but he called [=predicted] it exactly right! ▪ You called it! [=you correctly said what would happen] ▪ call the toss of a coin ▪ We flipped a coin; he called heads, and heads it was! ▪ The election is still too close to call. [=the election is too close to say who will win] 8 [+ obj] sports a : to stop or cancel (something, such as a baseball game) because of bad conditions
▪ The game was called on account of rain.
b : to make an official ruling or decision about (something, such as a pitched ball or a player's action)
▪ Only the umpire has the right to call balls and strikes. ▪ The pitch was called a strike. [=the umpire said that the pitch was a strike] ▪ The umpire called the runner safe/out. ▪ call a serve in/out ▪ She was called for being offside. [=the official said that she was offside]
c American football : to say or decide what kind of play will be used
▪ The quarterback called a running play. 9 poker : to require (a player) to show a hand by making an equal bet [+ obj] ▪ I call you. [no obj] ▪ I call.
b [+ obj] : to announce or read (something) in a loud voice
▪ call the roll ▪ call (off) a row of figures ▪ They're calling [=announcing] our flight: it's boarding at gate 57. — see also call out 1 (below)
c [no obj] of a bird or animal : to make the sound that is usual for a particular type of bird or animal
▪ The birds were calling as the sun rose.
▪ I called the waiter over (to my table) and asked for the check, and then I called him back to order something else. ▪ My dog comes running when he's called. ▪ She was called to court to testify. ▪ He was called to the office for an interview. ▪ soldiers who have been called to active duty ▪ He's not home because he was called away on business.
b : to make a telephone call to tell, order, or ask (someone or something) to come
▪ We had to call an ambulance. ▪ He called a taxi but it still hasn't come. ▪ He called a taxi for me. = He called me a taxi. — see also call 2 (above)
▪ Her parents called [=named] her Katherine after/for her grandmother. ▪ The immigrants settled along the river and called their new town “Brookhaven.”
b : to talk to or refer to (someone or something) with a specified name
▪ Her name is Katherine but her friends all call her “Kitty.” ▪ This part of the city is called “The Old Town.” ▪ It's important to call things by their right names. ▪ Human beings belong to a large group of animals called “mammals.” ▪ The other children called him (bad) names. [=the other children spoke to him with cruel and insulting words in place of his name] — see also name-calling
c : to regard or think of (someone or something) in a certain way
▪ Some people say he's a good man, but I call him a fool. [=I consider him to be a fool] ▪ She went out in the rain without an umbrella? I call that pretty foolish. ▪ He's not what you would call a generous man. [=he's not a generous man] ▪ Her sense of humor is what you might call subtle. [=she has a subtle sense of humor] ▪ (You can) Call me foolish if you like, but I still think people are basically good. ▪ It costs 99 cents: let's call it an even dollar for simplicity's sake. ▪ You may not agree with him, but he calls them like he sees them! [=he states his opinion in an open, honest, and direct way] ▪ You did me a favor and I did you a favor, so let's call it even.
▪ call [=convene] a meeting ▪ call an election ▪ The union has threatened to call a strike against the company. ▪ The chairman called a halt to [=stopped] the discussion.
▪ He called to pay his respects. ▪ We're planning to call [=stop] at a friend's house on the way home. — see also call at (below), call for 2 (below), call in 2 (below), call on 5 (below)
▪ Nobody else thought the election would turn out as it did, but he called [=predicted] it exactly right! ▪ You called it! [=you correctly said what would happen] ▪ call the toss of a coin ▪ We flipped a coin; he called heads, and heads it was! ▪ The election is still too close to call. [=the election is too close to say who will win]
▪ The game was called on account of rain.
b : to make an official ruling or decision about (something, such as a pitched ball or a player's action)
▪ Only the umpire has the right to call balls and strikes. ▪ The pitch was called a strike. [=the umpire said that the pitch was a strike] ▪ The umpire called the runner safe/out. ▪ call a serve in/out ▪ She was called for being offside. [=the official said that she was offside]
c American football : to say or decide what kind of play will be used
▪ The quarterback called a running play.
call a spade a spade — see spade
call at [phrasal verb]
call at (a place) of a boat or ship : to stop at (a place) briefly
▪ The ship called at the port.
▪ The ship called at the port.
call down [phrasal verb]
call down (something) or call (something) down literary : to pray or ask God to do something to someone
▪ He called down a blessing/curse on the king. [=he prayed that the king would be blessed/cursed]
▪ He called down a blessing/curse on the king. [=he prayed that the king would be blessed/cursed]
call for [phrasal verb] 1 call for (something) a : to say or demand publicly that something is needed or should be done
▪ The opposition has called for an investigation. ▪ The government has called for [=asked for] calm and restraint.
b : to indicate that something is needed or should be done
▪ The plan calls for three windows to be added. ▪ You've won! That calls for a celebration! [=we should celebrate because you've won]
c : to require or demand (something) as necessary or proper
▪ The job calls for typing skills. [=you must have typing skills to do the job] ▪ Action is urgently called for [=needed] in order to avert catastrophe! ▪ These new problems call for [=require] further investigation. ▪ His rude behavior was not called for. [=his behavior was uncalled-for/inappropriate] 2 call for (someone or something) : to go to a place to get (someone or something)
▪ I'll call for you (at your house) after dinner.
▪ The opposition has called for an investigation. ▪ The government has called for [=asked for] calm and restraint.
b : to indicate that something is needed or should be done
▪ The plan calls for three windows to be added. ▪ You've won! That calls for a celebration! [=we should celebrate because you've won]
c : to require or demand (something) as necessary or proper
▪ The job calls for typing skills. [=you must have typing skills to do the job] ▪ Action is urgently called for [=needed] in order to avert catastrophe! ▪ These new problems call for [=require] further investigation. ▪ His rude behavior was not called for. [=his behavior was uncalled-for/inappropriate]
▪ I'll call for you (at your house) after dinner.
call forth [phrasal verb]
call forth (something) or call (something) forth : to bring (a memory, image, etc.) into the mind
▪ These events call forth [=elicit, evoke] strong feelings.
▪ These events call forth [=elicit, evoke] strong feelings.
call in [phrasal verb] 1 a : to make a telephone call to a place (such as the place where you work)
▪ She called in sick yesterday. [=she telephoned the place where she works to say that she was sick and would not be coming to work]
b : to make a telephone call to a radio or television program
▪ Thousands of people called in to make a donation. ▪ Many people have called in (to the show) with questions about the new law. — see also call-in
c call (something) in or call in (something) : to deliver (something, such as a message) by making a telephone call
▪ He called in an order for pizza. 2 : to go in somewhere to make a visit — often + on ▪ I called in on an old friend [=I visited an old friend] while I was in New York on business. 3 call (something) in or call in (something) a : to say that something that has been given or sent should be returned
▪ The manufacturer has called in all its defective products.
b : to demand payment of (a loan)
▪ The bank has called in the loan. 4 call (someone) in or call in (someone) : to ask for the help or services of (someone)
▪ They may have to call in a mediator to settle the strike. ▪ Rescue workers have been called in to help search for survivors.
▪ She called in sick yesterday. [=she telephoned the place where she works to say that she was sick and would not be coming to work]
b : to make a telephone call to a radio or television program
▪ Thousands of people called in to make a donation. ▪ Many people have called in (to the show) with questions about the new law. — see also call-in
c call (something) in or call in (something) : to deliver (something, such as a message) by making a telephone call
▪ He called in an order for pizza.
▪ The manufacturer has called in all its defective products.
b : to demand payment of (a loan)
▪ The bank has called in the loan.
▪ They may have to call in a mediator to settle the strike. ▪ Rescue workers have been called in to help search for survivors.
call into action — see action
call into question also US call into doubt
: to make people doubt something
▪ His report calls into question the earlier reports we had. [=his report makes us feel not certain that the earlier reports were true] ▪ This news calls her loyalty into question. [=makes people doubt that she is loyal]
▪ His report calls into question the earlier reports we had. [=his report makes us feel not certain that the earlier reports were true] ▪ This news calls her loyalty into question. [=makes people doubt that she is loyal]
call it a day/night
: to stop an activity (such as work) for the remainder of the day or night
▪ We've done enough work for now: let's call it a day. ▪ It's getting late. I think we should call it a night.
▪ We've done enough work for now: let's call it a day. ▪ It's getting late. I think we should call it a night.
call it quits — see quits
call off [phrasal verb] 1 call off (something) or call (something) off : to stop doing or planning to do (something)
▪ We had to call off [=cancel] our trip. ▪ The police have decided to call the investigation off. [=to stop the investigation] 2 call off (someone or something) or call (someone or something) off : to cause or tell (a person or animal) to stop attacking, chasing, etc.
▪ The dog was barking and growling at me until its owner called it off.
▪ We had to call off [=cancel] our trip. ▪ The police have decided to call the investigation off. [=to stop the investigation]
▪ The dog was barking and growling at me until its owner called it off.
call on/upon [phrasal verb] 1 call on/upon (someone or something) : to ask (someone or something) to do something : to say that someone or something should do something — followed by to + verb ▪ The opposition has called on/upon the governor to resign. [=the opposition has said that the governor should resign] ▪ You may be called upon to do several jobs. ▪ Universities are called upon to produce trained professionals. [=it is the job of universities to produce trained professionals] 2 call on/upon (someone) : to ask for help from (someone)
▪ Is there anyone you can call on in an emergency? 3 call on/upon (something) : to use (something, such as a talent or skill)
▪ She had to call on/upon all her reserves of strength and skill to meet the challenge. 4 call on (someone) : to ask for a response from (someone, such as a student)
▪ I was hoping the teacher wouldn't call on me, because I didn't know the answer. 5 call on (someone) : to make a brief visit to (someone)
▪ I'm planning to call on an old friend after I leave here. 6 call (someone) on (something) US, informal : to directly criticize (someone) for (something, such as bad behavior)
▪ He's incredibly rude, but no one ever calls him on it. [=no one ever tells him that he should stop being so rude]
▪ Is there anyone you can call on in an emergency?
▪ She had to call on/upon all her reserves of strength and skill to meet the challenge.
▪ I was hoping the teacher wouldn't call on me, because I didn't know the answer.
▪ I'm planning to call on an old friend after I leave here.
▪ He's incredibly rude, but no one ever calls him on it. [=no one ever tells him that he should stop being so rude]
call out [phrasal verb] 1 call out or call (something) out or call out (something) : to speak in a loud voice
▪ He called out to passersby for help. ▪ He called out in his sleep. : to say (something) in a loud voice ▪ He called out her name in his sleep. ▪ He called out a cry for help. : to announce or read (something) in a loud voice ▪ call out a number 2 call out (someone) or call (someone) out a : to order or tell (a group of people, such as soldiers) to come or go somewhere
▪ The governor has called out troops to help control the riot. ▪ Emergency workers were called out to help with efforts to control the flood.
b : to order or tell (workers) to go on strike
▪ Factory workers are expected to be called out on strike if a new contract isn't signed by tomorrow.
▪ He called out to passersby for help. ▪ He called out in his sleep. : to say (something) in a loud voice ▪ He called out her name in his sleep. ▪ He called out a cry for help. : to announce or read (something) in a loud voice ▪ call out a number
▪ The governor has called out troops to help control the riot. ▪ Emergency workers were called out to help with efforts to control the flood.
b : to order or tell (workers) to go on strike
▪ Factory workers are expected to be called out on strike if a new contract isn't signed by tomorrow.
call (someone) on the carpet — see 1carpet
call (something) to order — see 1order
call the shots — see 1shot
call the tune — see 1tune
call time — see 1time
call to account — see 1account
call to mind — see 1mind
call up [phrasal verb] 1 call (someone) up or call up (someone) chiefly US : to make a telephone call to (someone)
▪ I haven't spoken to her in years, but I called her up last night and we talked for hours. ▪ Call me up when you get back from your vacation. ▪ I called up my doctor and made an appointment. 2 call (something) up or call up (something) a : to bring (something, such as a memory) into the mind
▪ The sound of the ocean called up [=brought back] memories of my childhood.
b : to bring (strength, courage, etc.) from within yourself
▪ He will have to call up all his reserves of strength to meet this challenge.
c : to get (something) from the memory of a computer and show it on the screen
▪ call up an old document for revision 3 call (someone) up or call up (someone) a : to order or tell (someone) to come or appear
▪ The prisoner was called up before a magistrate.
b : to bring (an athlete) to a higher league
▪ a minor-league player who is being called up to the major leagues
c : to order (soldiers) to come for active military duty
▪ call up the reserves — see also call-up
▪ I haven't spoken to her in years, but I called her up last night and we talked for hours. ▪ Call me up when you get back from your vacation. ▪ I called up my doctor and made an appointment.
▪ The sound of the ocean called up [=brought back] memories of my childhood.
b : to bring (strength, courage, etc.) from within yourself
▪ He will have to call up all his reserves of strength to meet this challenge.
c : to get (something) from the memory of a computer and show it on the screen
▪ call up an old document for revision
▪ The prisoner was called up before a magistrate.
b : to bring (an athlete) to a higher league
▪ a minor-league player who is being called up to the major leagues
c : to order (soldiers) to come for active military duty
▪ call up the reserves — see also call-up
call your bluff — see 2bluff
