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call

call

174 2.3
A short visit to someone for business or social reasons
  • noun
  • /kɔl/
translation icon : visita
  • I was paying a kind of social call on a guy called Emilio Portifino.
  • a house call
  • pay a call
  • service call

And then lastly, always know that on a sales call, you're willing to walk away.

Examples

  • My first New Orleans house call is one I will certainly never forget.

    Academic text (2006)
  • The business call, it's very important.

  • You gonna pay a call on your boyfriend?

  • But even for an office call, there was something about this that didn't seem right.

    Fiction book (1997)
  • Aged folk who visit old haunts and pay friendly calls often regret the outing.

    Academic text (1992)
  • The doctor made a call to check on his patient at home.

  • She received a call from her friend inviting her to the party.

  • After his call, the manager will visit the new client later this week.

Synonyms

visit
vscall
1.0

An occasion when someone goes to see a person or place, usually for a short time

is mainly used for official, business, or social purposes rather than any reason
appointment
vscall
595 1.5

A planned meeting at a set time, often with a professional

is a trip or meeting that can be unplanned and less formal
visitation
vscall
  • Formal
11 5.8

A formal inspection when people in charge come to check a place or group

is used for general official, business, or social trips, not only inspections
visiting
vscall
2 1.0

Going to see people or places for a short time

is a single official, business, or social trip rather than an ongoing activity

Idioms

829 1.3

To ask someone to phone you

99 4.2

To be in control and make the important decisions

52 3.2

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

6 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

3 7.9

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

to call the tune
  • Informal
3 7.0

To have control and make the main decisions

2 7.7

Stop criticizing or attacking someone after being angry

2 6.3

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

1 8.9

Make someone face consequences they cannot avoid

The first place you go to for help or information

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

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

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

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

Always ready to work or help, day and night

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

Compounds

1.0

A time when you talk to someone by telephone

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

A time when you speak with someone by phone

close call
  • Informal
43 3.7

A situation when something bad almost happens but is avoided

distress call
  • Specialized
42 3.9

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

27 3.2

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

call girl
  • NSFW
23 7.9

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

20 3.6

A phone call where the person who answers pays the cost

20 2.7

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

tough call
  • Informal
19 5.3

A difficult choice when two options are equally hard

18 3.4

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

15 3.6

Calling someone again after missing their call or message

call waiting
  • Specialized
12 2.6

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

A phone conversation with someone in another area that costs extra

call to arms
  • Formal
9 5.9

A strong appeal for people to take action for a cause

8 4.7

A final chance to order drinks before a bar closes

call up
  • Formal
8 6.4

An official order telling someone to report for military service

8 3.7

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

7 4.3

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

6 3.4

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

5 1.0

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

5 2.7

A phone call arranged to wake someone at a set time

clarion call
  • Literature
4 6.8

A strong clear request that makes people take action

crank call
  • Offensive
4 6.7

A telephone call made to annoy someone as a joke

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

3 3.3

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

3 7.8

A tempting offer that may harm or trick you

2 5.8

A need to go to the toilet to pee or poo

2 5.6

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

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

mail call
  • Jargon
2 6.1

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

function call
  • Specialized
1 4.4

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

call forwarding
  • Specialized
1 3.4

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

call-back
  • Jargon
1 4.1

Asking workers who were laid off to return to work

call number
  • Specialized
1 4.0

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

call-back
  • Specialized
1 5.9

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

muster call
  • Jargon
1 8.4

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

service call
  • Specialized
1 3.7

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

system call
  • Specialized
1 6.8

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

1 4.9

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

trunk call
  • Archaic
1 9.8

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

sick call
  • Jargon
1 5.7

A set time when soldiers report to a medic if ill

A clear, musical bird sound like a small bell

bell-like call
  • Texting
3.7

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

call loan
  • Specialized
8.1

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

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

2.8

A public booth with a phone for making calls

call fire
  • Specialized
9.6

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

call-board
  • Jargon
7.7

A board backstage where actors and crew read notices and schedules

7.8

A public challenge asking someone to fight or compete

call-out
  • Texting
7.4

A public statement blaming someone for wrong behavior

9.9

A look or signal asking someone to join you in bed

8.8

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

local call
  • Specialized
3.7

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

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

9.8

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

two-note call
  • Specialized
8.1

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

How Formal

visitation
  • Formal
11 5.8
call
174 2.3
visit
1.0

Surface Forms

call singular
calls plural

Etymology

Call also came to mean a visit because people used to 'call on' others by going and calling their name, so a call can mean a short official or social visit.