calls - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
calls Word Meanings
- to shout or speak loudly
- to summon someone
- a telephone communication
calls Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
calls Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/kɔːl/
US
/kɔl/
calls Word Etymology
Call comes from Old English "ceallian" (to call) from Proto-Germanic *kalōną (to shout). Visualize someone shouting someone's name across a crowded street to grab their attention.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputEnglish Brain Route
I step into the doorway, cup in hand, and push a breath up to my lips so my voice can move. I lift my chin and call out a name, feeling my throat tighten and then soften as the sound travels through the air. If no one answers, I adjust my volume, speaking a little louder or softer, and I keep the tone steady. That small push of voice becomes a real moment in life, whether on the phone or in person, and the act of calling decides what happens next.
Real Context
Call is a versatile verb and noun in English. It can mean to shout or speak loudly in order to attract attention, as in calling a friend across a street. It also means to summon someone to do something or to appear, as a teacher calls on a student to answer. In everyday life, call is widely used for making a telephone communication, with phrases like call me later or I will call you. As a noun, a call can refer to the act of speaking on the phone or a telephone conversation itself, as in I received a call from my doctor. Learners should distinguish call from shout, name, and contact, and be aware of many phrasal verbs built with call.
Usage Reminders
- Remember these: 1) call as shout vs call as phone call 2) noun vs verb forms 3) use call on for asking a student to answer 4) learn key phrasal verbs: call back, call off, call up 5) distinguish call someone by name vs call someone on the phone 6) practice socially appropriate contexts
Common Misconceptions
- call always means telephone call
- shout and call are the same
- to call someone by name equals to call them on the phone
- call off means call someone to make a decision
- call on and call at are interchangeable
Thinking Differences
Explain to an English speaker (meta, keep short)
Learning Tips
- Identify the three core senses: shout, summon, and phone call
- Distinguish noun vs verb forms and common collocations
- Learn key phrasal verbs: call back, call off, call up, call on, call in
- Practice choosing the right sense from context
- Notice polite vs informal usage with you/me; reflexive forms vary
- Use real-life dialogues to hear natural intonation
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What does the word 'calls' mean?
A.To yell loudly
B.To write a letter
C.To contact someone by phone
D.To ignore someone
Step 2: Usage
Which sentence uses the word 'calls' correctly?
A.She calls the dog loudly.
B.He calls for pizza every Friday.
C.They calls the meeting to order.
D.The teacher calls the students to homework.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is most similar to 'calls'?
A.Runs
B.Hangs
C.Texts
D.Sleeps
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'calls'?
A.Hangs up
B.Sends
C.Ignores
D.Writes
Step 5: Mastery
Can you think of a real-life scenario where this action might happen?
A.Someone received a text message.
B.A friend reaches out to another friend to chat.
C.A person sends an email to their colleague.
D.A parent yells at their child.
Related Listening
🌱 Lite (Beginner)
🔥 Advanced
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