dial
DEYE-uhl
Dial (noun) means a round, marked surface with a needle or pointer used to display a measurement, such as on a clock or gauge. Example: “The needle on the pressure dial moved slowly into the green zone.”
noun
1
A round, marked surface with a needle or pointer used to display a measurement, such as on a clock or gauge.
"The needle on the pressure dial moved slowly into the green zone."
"He glanced at the dial on the dashboard to check the speed."
"The temperature dial on the oven was hard to read in the dim kitchen."
2
A rotating disc, or set of buttons, used to enter a phone number.
"My grandfather still keeps an old telephone with a dial on his desk."
"Children today are puzzled by how a dial works on a vintage phone."
"Old phones had a rotary dial instead of buttons."
verb
1
To enter a phone number in order to make a call.
"Dial the number slowly, because the line is not always clear."
"She dialed her sister's number as soon as she heard the news."
"He accidentally dialed the wrong extension."
How to use dial
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA round display with a pointer (like on a clock), or the act of entering a number to make a phone call.
Common pairings
dial a number
turn the dial
speed dial
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Word forms
- Plural
- dials
- Third person singular
- dials
- Past tense
- dialed, dialled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The needle on the pressure _____ moved slowly into the green zone.
Etymology
From Middle English diall, from Latin dialis ("daily"), from dies ("day") — originally referring to a sundial.
Related words
Rhymes for dial
See all rhymes for dial →Frequently asked questions
What does “dial” mean?
The word “dial” means a round, marked surface with a needle or pointer used to display a measurement, such as on a clock or gauge. In plain terms, a round display with a pointer (like on a clock), or the act of entering a number to make a phone call.
How do you pronounce “dial”?
“Dial” is pronounced DEYE-uhl (/ˈdaɪ.əl/ in IPA).
How do you use “dial” in a sentence?
Here is “dial” used in a sentence: “The temperature dial on the oven was hard to read in the dim kitchen.”
What part of speech is “dial”?
Depending on how it is used, “dial” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “dial” come from?
The word “dial” comes from Latin. From Middle English diall, from Latin dialis ("daily"), from dies ("day") — originally referring to a sundial.
Is “dial” a common word?
“Dial” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “dial” have?
“Dial” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a round, marked surface with a needle or pointer used to display a measurement, such as on a clock or gauge.
What is the difference between a dial and a gauge?
A dial is the marked, usually circular surface with a pointer or needle that displays a reading, while a gauge is the whole instrument that measures and shows a value. In everyday speech the dial is the face you actually read, and the gauge is the device it belongs to.
Do you still 'dial' a number on a modern touchscreen phone?
Yes. Even though phones no longer have a rotating dial, 'dial' has remained the standard verb for entering a phone number to make a call. The action kept the old name after the mechanism changed.
What is the difference between 'dial' and 'call' on the phone?
To dial means specifically to enter the phone number, whereas to call refers to the whole act of contacting someone by phone. You dial the number first, and the call is what connects you to the other person.
What do 'dial up' and 'dial back' mean?
'Dial up' means to increase something and 'dial back' means to reduce it, both borrowing the image of turning a control dial. They are informal, figurative phrases used for things like intensity, effort, or emotion.
