Words / A2

DEYE-uh-l/ˈdaɪəl/

Dial means press numbers to phone, or (noun) a round face on a clock or old phone: dial 999, dial the hotel, a clock dial. Call is the everyday cousin. Deal means an agreement. Dual means two. Do not write dial when you mean deal, or dual.

Meaning

To press numbers on a phone to make a call.

Examples

• “Dial this number if you lose your hotel key.”
• “Dial reception from the room phone if the heating fails.”
• “She dialled the wrong code and reached another country.”

Good to know

dial a number / dial 999. Everyday: call. Mix-up: deal, dual.

Near in meaning

call

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