call

To contact someone by telephone.

• Call me tonight.
• She called her dad after school.
• Have you called the doctor yet?

How to use it: call someone (Please call your sister.); call someone on a number (Call me on my mobile number.)

Similar words: phone, telephone, ring

Common phrases: call someone, call home, call back

To give someone or something a name, or use that name for them.

• Our cat is called Luna.
• They called their baby Sam.
• What do you call this flower?

How to use it: call someone/something + name (They call their dog Max.); be called + name (My brother is called Leo.)

Similar words: name

Common phrases: call someone something, call him ben, call it home

To say something loudly so someone hears or notices you.

• Call louder so I can hear you.
• She called his name across the playground.
• "Come inside!" he called from the doorway.

How to use it: call to someone (She called to us from the window.); call out something (He called out my name.)

Similar words: shout, cry out

Common phrases: call out, call to someone, call someone’s name

To describe someone or something using a particular word.

• Do not call him stupid.
• She called the trip a success.
• Would you call that behavior rude?

How to use it: call someone/something + noun/adjective (They called the decision unfair.)

Similar words: describe as, label

Common phrases: call someone lazy, call something unfair, call someone something

To ask or tell someone to come to a place or to help.

• Call a doctor immediately.
• The teacher called me to the front.
• She called the children inside when it began to rain.

How to use it: call someone to a place (The manager called me to her office.); call someone over (She called the waiter over.)

Similar words: summon, send for

Common phrases: call someone over, call a doctor, call someone inside

To say that an event should happen or that an activity should stop.

• The manager called a meeting.
• The union called a strike over pay.
• Police called a halt to the search after dark.

How to use it: call a halt to something (They called a halt to the building work.)

Common phrases: call a meeting, call an election, call a halt

A time when you contact someone by telephone, usually to talk.

• I got a call from Mum.
• She made three calls this morning.
• Did you answer my call?

How to use it: a call from someone (I received a call from my sister.); a call to someone (He made a call to his lawyer.)

Similar words: phone call, telephone call

Common phrases: phone call, make a call, missed call, unanswered call

The sound a bird or animal makes, often to communicate with others.

• We heard an owl’s call.
• Each bird has a different call.
• The frogs’ mating calls filled the evening air.

Similar words: cry

Common phrases: bird call, mating call, owl call