CALL BACK

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does call back mean? 

• CALL BACK (verb)
  The verb CALL BACK has 4 senses:

1. cause to be returned

2. recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection

3. return or repeat a telephone call

4. summon to return

  Familiarity information: CALL BACK used as a verb is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• CALL BACK (verb)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Cause to be returned

Classified under:

Verbs of buying, selling, owning

Synonyms:

call back; call in; recall; withdraw

Context example:

The manufacturer tried to call back the spoilt yoghurt

Hypernyms (to "call back" is one way to...):

take (take into one's possession)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "call back"):

decommission (withdraw from active service)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

callback (a request by the manufacturer of a defective product to return the product (as for replacement or repair))

Sense 2

Meaning:

Recall knowledge from memory; have a recollection

Classified under:

Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting

Synonyms:

call back; call up; recall; recollect; remember; retrieve; think

Context example:

call up memories

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "call back"):

know (perceive as familiar)

recognise; recognize (perceive to be the same)

brush up; refresh; review (refresh one's memory)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s that CLAUSE
Somebody ----s VERB-ing

Sense 3

Meaning:

Return or repeat a telephone call

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Context example:

She left a message but the contractor never called back

Hypernyms (to "call back" is one way to...):

answer; reply; respond (react verbally)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Derivation:

call-back (a return call)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Summon to return

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

call back; recall

Context example:

The company called back many of the workers it had laid off during the recession

Hypernyms (to "call back" is one way to...):

call; send for (order, request, or command to come)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s somebody

Derivation:

call-back (the recall of an employee after a layoff)