dial

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A flat, usually circular face with numbers or marks that shows a measurement or setting.

   Grammar: Countable; you can say 'a dial' or 'the dials'.

   Patterns

   • turn a dial
   • read a dial
   • the dial on something

   She glanced at the dial to check the speed.

   The dial on the oven shows the temperature.

   Turn the dial to adjust the volume.

2. 2verbtransitive or intransitive

   To press numbers on a phone to make a call.

   Grammar: Can take an object: dial a number; or be used without: dial again.

   Patterns

   • dial a number
   • dial someone
   • dial again

   He dialed the number and waited for an answer.

   Please dial 911 in an emergency.

   I must have dialed the wrong number.

3. 3verbtransitive

   To adjust a control on a device to change a setting.

   Grammar: Takes an object: dial the volume down.

   Patterns

   • dial something up/down
   • dial the volume

   She dialed the volume down during the movie.

   Dial the brightness up if the screen is too dark.

Word forms

Common combinations

turn the dial

Turn the dial clockwise to increase the heat.

dial a number

She dialed the number from memory.

dial tone

Pick up the phone and listen for the dial tone.

speed dial

I set his number as speed dial.

Synonyms and how they differ

gauge

A gauge often shows a measurement like pressure or fuel, while a dial is the face you read; a gauge may have a dial.

call

Call is the general verb for phoning; dial is more specific to entering the number.

Word family

dialer noun

A person or device that dials, especially a phone dialer.

Commonly confused: dial or dye?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “dial”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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