callout or call-out

Meanings

1. 1nouncountableinformal

   A public criticism or challenge, often on social media, pointing out someone's mistake or behavior.

   Grammar: Countable: use 'a callout' or 'callouts'; often followed by 'of' or 'for'.

   Patterns

   • a callout of someone
   • a callout for something
   • issue a callout

   The singer faced a callout for using a word that many found offensive.

   Her callout of the company's unfair policies went viral.

   He posted a callout of his friend for not showing up.

2. 2nouncountablebusiness

   A request or summons for someone to come to work, especially in an emergency or at short notice.

   Grammar: Countable: often used in phrases like 'on callout' or 'a callout to the hospital'.

   Patterns

   • a callout to a place
   • on callout
   • receive a callout

   The doctor received a callout at 3 a.m. for an emergency surgery.

   Firefighters are always ready for a callout.

   She was on callout for the entire weekend.

Word forms

Common combinations

issue a callout

The manager issued a callout for extra staff during the holiday rush.

face a callout

The politician faced a callout for his controversial remarks.

callout culture

Some people argue that callout culture can be too harsh.

emergency callout

The plumber charged extra for an emergency callout on Sunday.

Synonyms and how they differ

criticism

More general and formal; a callout is usually public and direct, often on social media.

summons

More formal and legal; a callout is an informal request to come to work.

Word family

call out phrasal verb

To criticize someone publicly or to summon someone to work.

Commonly confused: callout or call-out or call-up?

Practice

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Write a sentence using “callout or call-out”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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