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Glite Dictionary
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to recall

to recall

5 3.4
Bring someone's attention back from daydreaming
  • verb
  • /rɪˈkɔl/
translation icon : recuperar la atención
  • Yes, I recall seeing him as we left.

The painting recalls something to mind.

Examples

Synonyms

to remind
vsto recall
∞ 1.0

To make someone remember something they need to do or something from the past

is about pulling attention back from daydreaming rather than prompting tasks
to remind someone of
vsto recall
∞ 2.6

To make someone think of a person, place, or time from the past

returns wandering attention to a present event or sound rather than just past images
to bring to
vsto recall
188 3.7

To make someone remember or think of something

is specifically about returning attention from distraction to that thought
to take back
vsto recall
  • Informal
148 3.1

Make someone remember a time from the past

focuses more on refocusing attention from reverie than simply recalling past times
to bring back
vsto recall
143 3.0

Make someone remember something from the past

focuses on shifting attention back from reverie rather than general memory
to evoke
vsto recall
71 4.8

To bring a memory, image, or feeling to mind

is more about making attention return from distraction than evoking emotion
to refresh
vsto recall
50 2.8

Help someone or yourself remember something forgotten

is about drawing attention back from distraction rather than refreshing learned facts
to jog
vsto recall
29 3.7

To make someone remember something with a small hint

focuses on pulling attention out of reverie rather than general memory aid
to refresh memory
vsto recall
24 3.4

To help someone remember things they learned before

is mainly about returning attention from reverie rather than studying facts
to bring back memories
vsto recall
21 3.5

To make someone remember the past, for example a song or photo

emphasizes returning wandering attention to a present cue rather than nostalgia
to recollect
vsto recall
20 3.7

To remember something from the past

adds the idea of refocusing attention away from distraction to that memory
to call up
vsto recall
11 3.2

To make a memory or image appear in your mind

brings attention back from distraction to a thought or sound
to jog one's memory
vsto recall
5 4.5

Help someone remember something they forgot

works more by moving attention back from distraction than by prompting only
to put in mind of
vsto recall
  • UK
3.9

To make someone remember a person or thing

is about refocusing attention from distraction to the present cue

Antonyms

to distract
513 2.1

To make someone stop paying attention to what they are doing or thinking about

Compounds

recall dose
  • Specialized
4.7

An extra vaccine or medicine given later to make the first one work well

How Forceful

to jolt
8 4.3
to recall
5 3.4
to remind
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

recall infinitive
recalled past
recalled past participle
recalling present participle
recalls third person singular

Morphology

recall = call (semi-transparent) = re + call

The core idea of 'call back' is recognizable, but extending it to 'bring back to mind or attention' is metaphorical rather than fully literal for many learners.

Etymology

Recall comes from the parts re- 'again' and call 'to call', so a sudden sound or voice that 'calls' you back will recall you from daydreams; that is why the verb can mean to bring someone's attention back.