Meaning & use
auto dialler
Last updated
Meaning
nouncountableBritishtechnical
A piece of software or equipment that automatically calls telephone numbers from a list and connects answered calls to a person or recorded message.
Grammar: Countable: a call center uses an auto dialler; used with by or through: calls made by an auto dialler.
Patterns
- an auto dialler for something
The call center installed an auto dialler to reach more customers each hour.
Many people hang up when they realize an auto dialler has called them.
The charity used an auto dialler to contact thousands of past donors.
Word forms
| plural | auto diallers |
|---|
Common combinations
- predictive auto dialler
- A predictive auto dialler guesses when an agent will be free.
- use an auto dialler
- Agents use an auto dialler to avoid typing numbers.
- auto dialler software
- The auto dialler software logs each call result.
- automated dialling system
- The firm replaced its old automated dialling system.
Synonyms and how they differ
- robocall system
- It stresses the use of recorded messages, while auto dialler describes only the automatic dialing itself.
- power dialler
- It calls one number at a time as soon as an agent is free, which is a more specific kind of auto dialler.
- predictive dialler
- It uses algorithms to guess agent availability, so it is a narrower type of auto dialler.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: auto dialler or speed dial?
auto dialler vs speed dial
Speed dial calls one saved number at a press of a button, while an auto dialler works through a whole list.
Practice
A call center needs equipment that works through a list of numbers without staff typing them. What do they need?
Choose one answer.
An auto dialler dials numbers from a list automatically. A switchboard routes calls manually, which is the tempting wrong answer.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “auto dialler”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.