dial

CEFRB1

/ˈdaɪ.əl/

noun · verb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    noun

    A round part showing numbers used to measure or control something.

  2. 02

    verb

    To call a telephone number.

Examples

  • Could you dial for me? The telephone is too high.

  • In case of an emergency, dial 110.

At a glance

Sits at B1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
2
Citations
3

Also pronounced

  • [ˈdaɪ.əɫ]

Deep Dive

noun

Extra meanings

  1. A sundial.

  2. A graduated, circular scale over which a needle moves to show a measurement (such as speed).

  3. Such a field as part of a clock face; (metonymic) the entire clock face.

More examples

In context

  • The dial records very slight variations in pressure.

  • The dial on the dashboard showed the car was nearly out of gas.

  • Turn the dial to Radio 4: my favourite show is on!

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

She turned the blank to adjust the volume on the old radio.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

noun

The original meaning was 'sundial' and/or 'clock dial'; from Middle English diall, from Middle French dyal, from Latin diālis (“daily, concerning the day”), because of its use in telling the time of day, from Latin diēs (“day”). Compare Spanish dial and día (“day”).