recall
18 synonyms and 0 antonyms for recall, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Verb — To bring a past event or fact back into your mind; to remember.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use recall
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From re- ("back") plus call, likely shaped by the Latin revocare and French rappeler.
Full origin of recall →Frequently asked questions
What does “recall” mean?
The word “recall” means to bring a past event or fact back into your mind; to remember. In plain terms, remembering something, or officially calling something/someone back.
How do you pronounce “recall”?
“Recall” is pronounced rih-KAWL (/ɹɪˈkɔl/ in IPA).
How do you use “recall” in a sentence?
Here is “recall” used in a sentence: “I can't recall exactly where I put my keys.”
What part of speech is “recall”?
Depending on how it is used, “recall” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “recall” come from?
The word “recall” comes from Latin. From re- ("back") plus call, likely shaped by the Latin revocare and French rappeler.
Is “recall” a common word?
“Recall” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “recall” have?
“Recall” has 6 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to bring a past event or fact back into your mind; to remember.
What is the difference between recall and remember?
The two are close, but recall stresses the active effort of bringing something back into your mind, as when you deliberately retrieve a name or fact. Remember is broader and can be passive, simply holding something in memory without effort. You recall on demand; you remember whether trying or not.
Does recall have other meanings?
Yes. Besides remembering, "recall" can mean officially calling something or someone back, such as a manufacturer recalling a faulty product for repair, a government recalling an ambassador, or voters recalling an elected official from office. The shared idea is bringing something back, whether a memory or a thing.
Can memory recall be improved?
Yes. Recall tends to improve with techniques such as repetition, active retrieval practice, association, and mnemonic devices, as well as good sleep and reduced stress. Regularly testing yourself rather than just rereading strengthens the pathways your brain uses to bring information back when you need it.