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to call

to call

898 1.0
To make a loud sound to get attention
  • verb
  • /kɔl/
: llamar
  • The teacher called out the names of the students one by one.
  • call attention to
  • call out loudly

Instead of calling Elsa, Elsa, she calls Elsa, let it go.

Examples

  • We, we, we, we need to call the police!

  • As he walked toward the animals, he called for wounded Shasinn, but no one answered.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • It's just you calling your mom to make it better.

  • - Oh, good, good, then go call him.

  • Just when she was thinking of quitting, her dad called out: "Try it one more time."

    Academic text (2011)
  • When they were several yards away, he called over his shoulder, "Remember what I said."

    Fiction book (1990)
  • People thronged the streets or called from the high windows.

  • A female standing on a balcony calls to a group of men and asks for beads.

    Academic text (1999)
  • The leader of the welcoming group, BAW, calls out to Joe in a formal way.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • They're there and you're calling me to save an American.

Synonyms

to scream
vsto call
∞ 1.0

To make a loud high cry because of fear or pain

is about attracting attention with loud sound rather than high-pitched emotional cries
to yell
vsto call
∞ 1.0

To shout loudly because you feel strong pain, anger or excitement

is about attracting attention or communicating rather than emotional outburst
to cry
vsto call
719 1.0

To make a loud call to show feeling or get attention

is about attracting attention or communicating rather than specifically emotional sound
to shout
vsto call
690 1.0

To speak very loudly to get attention or show strong feeling

is to make loud sounds to attract attention rather than mainly speaking words
to make noise
vsto call
321 1.3

To make a sound that is loud or easy to hear

is to make loud sounds to attract attention or communicate rather than any noise
to call out
vsto call
215 3.5

To say something loudly so people can hear

is about making loud sounds to attract attention rather than announcing words loudly
to cry out
vsto call
145 1.8

Shout loudly to show a strong feeling, for example when surprised or hurt

is about making loud sounds to attract attention rather than reactive emotional noises
to call for help
vsto call
112 1.6

To ask loudly for help in an emergency

is about making loud sounds to attract attention rather than specifically requesting assistance
to screech
vsto call
70 4.0

To make a loud, high, sharp sound that startles people

is a general loud sound to attract attention rather than piercing high-pitched noise
to shriek
vsto call
69 2.9

To make a loud high sound often because of fear, pain or excitement

is about making loud sounds to attract attention rather than high-pitched emotional noises
to ring out
vsto call
36 3.6

To make a loud clear sound that people can hear far away

is about making loud sounds to attract attention rather than a clear ringing
to buzz
vsto call
30 4.6

To press a buzzer to call someone, for example at a door

is about making loud vocal sounds to attract attention rather than using a device
to roar
vsto call
19 2.7

To say something in a very loud strong voice

is a general loud sound to attract attention rather than forceful speech
to speak up
vsto call
19 2.0

Talk more loudly so people can hear you

is about making loud sounds to attract attention rather than merely raising voice
to scream bloody murder
vsto call
  • NSFW
9 8.2

Shout very loudly to show pain, anger or strong protest

is a general loud sound to attract attention rather than extreme loud protest
9 2.7

To shout loudly when you need help right away

is a general loud sound to attract attention rather than an urgent plea for help
to give a shout
vsto call
  • Informal
6 5.1

Call or message someone to let them know something

is about making loud sounds to attract attention rather than informal contact
to hollo
vsto call
  • Archaic
5 9.9

To call out loudly to get attention or greet someone

is a general loud sound to attract attention rather than a greeting signal
to squall
vsto call
3 7.2

To make a loud high sound like a baby or bird

is about making loud sounds to attract attention rather than being specifically high-pitched
to blare out
vsto call
2 4.3

Make a very loud sound to get people's attention

is about making loud human sounds to attract attention rather than broadcasting media
to shout for help
vsto call
1 1.0

Call out loudly to ask someone to come to you when you are in danger

is a general loud sound to attract attention rather than a focused urgent plea
to shout over
vsto call
1 4.0

Speak loudly so others can hear you above noise

is about making loud sounds generally rather than specifically to overcome background noise
to megaphone
vsto call
1 4.9

To speak loudly so many people can hear, often using a cone-shaped tube

is about making loud human sounds rather than using amplification devices
to baw
vsto call
  • Archaic
1 9.8

To shout loudly to get someone's attention from far away

is a general loud sound to attract attention rather than specifically to reach distant listeners
to yell the hell out of
vsto call
  • Informal
1 8.9

Shout very loudly and with strong feeling, for example in excitement or anger

is a general loud sound to attract attention rather than extreme force or enthusiasm

Idioms

∞ 1.3

To ask someone to phone you

77 4.2

To be in control and make the important decisions

49 3.2

Stop what you are doing for the evening, usually to go to bed or go home

28 6.3

Challenge someone to prove they are serious when you think they are not

7 6.0

To speak clearly and honestly about something even if it is unpleasant

4 7.9

Change plans quickly at the last minute when something goes wrong

4 7.9

To tell someone strongly that they have done something wrong, often in front of others

3 7.7

Stop criticizing or attacking someone after being angry

to call the tune
  • Informal
2 7.0

To have control and make the main decisions

1 8.9

Make someone face consequences they cannot avoid

The first place you go to for help or information

Always ready to work or help, day and night

Says that someone's application or request is rejected and ends the conversation

1 9.9

Insult someone by saying 'maggot' to show they are worthless or lazy

To become a barrister and be officially allowed to work in court

A funny phrase people say when they cannot believe something

8.4

To stop a meeting or discussion

9.5

To say that an idea is nonsense or not true

To stop working or playing and finish for now

To say you are foolish in a joking way

Say that an older woman is foolish or annoying in a mean way

9.9

To insult someone by saying they are a fool

To insult a man by saying he is like a woman in a hurtful way

A strong phrase people say when they are very surprised or do not believe something

An informal rude phrase said to show surprise or not believe something

Phrasal Verbs

∞ 3.3

Ask people in public to give or do something

707 2.8

Phone someone who called you earlier

371 3.0

Ask someone to come in to help, often an expert or worker

308 3.2

Phone a place like an office or radio show to give information

295 2.5

To phone someone

267 3.2

Need something because the situation makes it necessary

to call on
  • Formal
263 3.5

To ask someone to take action or give information, often in a meeting

215 3.5

To say something loudly so people can hear

212 1.0

To phone someone

208 1.6

Phone 911 in the United States and Canada to get immediate help from police, fire, or ambulance

192 2.8

To cancel a planned event or activity

147 5.8

Tell someone publicly that they did something wrong

to call it
  • Informal
140 4.7

Decide to stop an activity and finish for now

To decide what to do in an important situation

To ask loudly for help in an emergency

to call on
  • Informal
78 4.7

To challenge someone to explain or defend what they said

60 3.3

Ask someone to return after they have left

To make people notice something important

40 3.1

To visit someone briefly for a purpose

to call it a day
  • Informal
40 3.1

To stop working for the rest of the day

To say that something may not be true or right

to call it quits
  • Informal
36 3.9

To stop doing something because you cannot continue or feel you have done enough

to call up
  • Specialized
34 4.4

To order someone to start military service

24 2.8

Pay a short, often unplanned visit to someone

21 3.6

Ask for something back, for example a product or loan

to call out
  • Texting
20 4.6

Publicly criticize a person or group for bad actions

14 4.0

To make a file or information appear for use

13 3.9

To officially start a meeting by asking people to be quiet

11 4.9

Cause a feeling or reaction to appear in people

To ask people or groups for help when you need it

Phone someone to ask for help about a problem

6 6.0

Make someone explain what they did and take responsibility

5 5.7

Say someone is rude or mean to hurt their feelings

5 3.2

To make a memory or image appear in your mind

to call down
  • Literature
5 9.2

Ask a spirit or magic power to come and act

Fail to answer a phone call before it stops ringing

3 3.4

To read a list of names aloud to check who is present

to call up
  • Formal
2 4.1

To mention something for discussion in a meeting or court

2 2.3

Remember something from the past

2 4.0

To stop at a port or station during a journey

To describe yourself using a certain name or title

to call down
  • Informal
1 6.8

Tell someone angrily that they did something wrong

1 8.8

To say someone is not brave to make them feel bad

1 2.5

Phone the emergency number 999 in the United Kingdom

to call out
  • Archaic
1 9.9

Challenge someone to a duel because of an insult

to call off
  • Jargon
1 8.0

To tell dancers the next movements during a square dance

to call back
  • Specialized
5.0

Run a piece of code you gave earlier when an event happens

Compounds

∞ 1.0

A time when you talk to someone by telephone

75 3.4

An event that makes people realize they must act or change what they do

A phone call where more than two people talk, usually for work

A time when you speak with someone by phone

51 4.7

A final chance to order drinks before a bar closes

close call
  • Informal
51 3.7

A situation when something bad almost happens but is avoided

47 3.6

Calling someone again after missing their call or message

distress call
  • Specialized
43 3.9

A signal sent by a ship, plane, or person to ask for urgent help

36 3.2

People call out a list of names to check who is present in a meeting, classroom or group

call girl
  • NSFW
27 7.9

A woman who is paid to have sex and who arranges meetings by phone or online

27 2.7

A place where many people answer phone calls to help customers or take orders

tough call
  • Informal
23 5.3

A difficult choice when two options are equally hard

22 3.6

A phone call where the person who answers pays the cost

call waiting
  • Specialized
17 2.6

A phone service that alerts you to a new call while you are on the phone

17 3.7

A part of a radio or TV show when people phone to give their views

A phone conversation with someone in another area that costs extra

crank call
  • Offensive
14 6.7

A telephone call made to annoy someone as a joke

call-back
  • Jargon
13 4.1

Asking workers who were laid off to return to work

call to arms
  • Formal
12 5.9

A strong appeal for people to take action for a cause

10 4.3

A moment at the end of a show when actors return to the stage to thank the audience for applause

call up
  • Formal
8 6.4

An official order telling someone to report for military service

8 1.0

A phone call made inside the same town or area, usually cheaper than a long-distance call

6 3.4

A port where a ship stops during a journey away from home

5 3.3

A visit by a technician to fix or check equipment at a customer's place

5 2.7

A phone call arranged to wake someone at a set time

clarion call
  • Literature
5 6.8

A strong clear request that makes people take action

4 7.8

A tempting offer that may harm or trick you

mail call
  • Jargon
4 6.1

A time when people hear their names and receive letters or packages

margin call
  • Specialized
4 8.2

A demand from a broker for more money or stocks to bring an investment account to the required level

call forwarding
  • Specialized
3 3.4

A phone service that sends incoming calls to another phone number you choose

3 2.8

A public booth with a phone for making calls

2 5.8

A need to go to the toilet to pee or poo

call-out
  • Texting
2 7.4

A public statement blaming someone for wrong behavior

call fire
  • Specialized
2 9.6

Artillery or aircraft attack a specific target after a unit asks for it

2 5.6

A short tune that someone plays on a bugle to signal a time or event

function call
  • Specialized
2 4.4

An instruction in a program that runs a small piece of code and then returns

call option
  • Specialized
2 7.7

A contract that lets someone choose to buy something of value at a set price for a limited time

2 4.9

A phone call to another city that costs more than a local call

2 7.8

A public challenge asking someone to fight or compete

call number
  • Specialized
1 4.0

A code of letters and numbers on a library book that shows where it is on the shelf

sick call
  • Jargon
1 5.7

A set time when soldiers report to a medic if ill

service call
  • Specialized
1 3.7

A request a program sends to a server over a network to do a task

call loan
  • Specialized
1 8.1

A loan the lender can ask to be paid back at any time

call-back
  • Specialized
1 5.9

A piece of code given to another function to run later when an action finishes

system call
  • Specialized
1 6.8

A request a program sends to the operating system to do a task like reading a file

trunk call
  • Archaic
1 9.8

A phone call to a place outside your local area that usually costs more

muster call
  • Jargon
1 8.4

A meeting when soldiers line up and have their names called to check who is present

call-board
  • Jargon
1 7.7

A board backstage where actors and crew read notices and schedules

An Algerian extremist Islamist group that split from another militant group and tried to overthrow the government while supporting al-Qaeda

two-note call
  • Specialized
1 8.1

A bird sound that has two different notes played one after the other

1 8.8

A phone call to the police to report a problem or ask for help

A clear, musical bird sound like a small bell

local call
  • Specialized
1 3.7

A request in a program that runs inside the same process and is not sent to another computer

bell-like call
  • Texting
3.7

A short bell sound on a phone or app that signals a message

8.4

A code written on a book to show where it is on the library shelves

call box
  • Archaic
6.1

A numbered box in a post office where a person collects their mail

9.9

A look or signal asking someone to join you in bed

9.8

A command a program sends to pause and ask the operating system to do a task

How Loud

to scream
∞ 1.0
to shout
690 1.0
to call
898 1.0
to speak
∞ 1.0
to murmur
84 4.2

Surface Forms

call infinitive
called past
called past participle
calling present participle
calls third person singular

Etymology

Call began as a word for 'shout' or 'cry', so to call animals or people is literally to shout to attract their attention or answer them.