call
assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
How often you will meet it
Rank 319 of 71,295 words measured. It occurs 63,379 times across 155,139 chapters — 0.030% of every word in the library.
It belongs to the first 500 words, the band worth learning before any other.
What it means
verb
- assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to also: name, know as, be known as They named their son DavidThe new school was named after the famous Civil Rights leader
- ascribe a quality to or give a name of a common noun that reflects a quality He called me a bastardShe called her children lazy and ungrateful
- get or try to get into communication (with someone) by telephone also: telephone, call up, phone, ring I tried to call you all nightTake two aspirin and call me in the morning
- utter a sudden loud cry also: shout, shout out, cry, yell, scream, holler she cried with pain when the doctor inserted the needleI yelled to her from the window but she couldn't hear me
- order, request, or command to come also: send for She was called into the director's officeCall the police!
- pay a brief visit also: visit, call in The mayor likes to call on some of the prominent citizens
call in real books
Each sentence below was written by a published author and is taken from a different book in our library. Open one to read the passage it came from, with narration.
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Most of these plays call for a somewhat large number of children.
The White Christmas and other Merry · Walter Ben Hare · Chapter 1
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We call the cruel fair; what name for you That are so merciful?
The White Devil · John Webster · Chapter 1
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It was my fortune to find a tree, resembling what Brazilians call an iron tree.
The Life and Most Surprising Adventures · Daniel Defoe · Chapter 1
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I heard Mrs. Inglethorp call “Cynthia” impatiently, and the girl started and ran back to the house.
The Mysterious Affair at Styles · Agatha Christie · Chapter 1
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I quite sympathize with the rage of the English democracy against what they call the vices of the upper orders.
The Picture of Dorian Gray · Oscar Wilde · Chapter 1