recall
rih-KAWL
Recall (verb) means to bring a past event or fact back into your mind; to remember. Example: “I can't recall exactly where I put my keys.”
verb
1
To bring a past event or fact back into your mind; to remember.
"I can't recall exactly where I put my keys."
"She recalled the exact words he used that night."
"Do you recall the name of that café we visited last spring?"
2
To officially call someone or something back.
"The ambassador was recalled to the capital amid the crisis."
"The company recalled its manager from the overseas office after the merger."
"Parliament was recalled early from its holiday to discuss the emergency."
3
To request the return of a faulty product.
"The automaker recalled thousands of cars over a brake defect."
"The shop recalled the baby seats because the straps could fail."
"They recalled the whole batch of toys after finding loose parts."
4
To remove an elected official from office through a public vote.
"Voters moved to recall the governor after the scandal."
"Residents gathered enough signatures to recall the mayor from office."
"Some citizens want to recall their senator before the next term."
noun
1
The ability to remember, or an instance of remembering.
"His recall of dates and names is remarkable."
"Total recall of every childhood birthday is not something most people have."
"Her recall improved after she began writing things down each evening."
2
An official request that a faulty product be returned.
"The manufacturer issued a recall on the affected batteries."
"A recall of the pushchairs was announced after a safety fault appeared."
"Check whether your toaster is covered by the recall notice."
How to use recall
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishRemembering something, or officially calling something/someone back.
Common pairings
perfect recall
issue a recall
recall an official
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Word forms
- Plural
- recalls
- Third person singular
- recalls
- Past tense
- recalled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
I can't _____ exactly where I put my keys.
Etymology
From re- ("back") plus call, likely shaped by the Latin revocare and French rappeler.
Synonyms
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Related words
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.
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