dial
gb/dˈaɪl/ us/dˈaɪl/
A1
English
~ 4300
számlap, skála, tekerőgomb, beállít, elforgat, teker, tárcsáz, beüt, hív
NOUN
A2
1
Usage pattern:
a dial on [something]
The fuel gauge has a dial that shows how much gas is left.
Az üzemanyagszint-jelző számlapja mutatja, mennyi benzin van még a tankban.
She turned the dial on the oven to 180 degrees.
A sütő tekerőgombját 180 fokra állította.
The watch has a black dial with gold numbers.
The dial on the safe must be set to the correct number.
The radio's dial is stuck and won't move.
Learner examples
The clock has a white dial.
Az órának fehér számlapja van.
He looks at the dial on the machine.
A gépen lévő számlapot nézi.
Turn the dial to number five.
I see numbers on the dial.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'dial' (the face showing measurements) with 'knob' (the part you turn).
Meaning
face showing measurements
Collocations
clock dial
|speedometer dial
|gauge dial
|watch dial
Synonyms
gauge (Refers to the instrument as a whole, not just the face.)
|
display (More general; can be digital or analog.)
Themes
technology
|daily life
|science
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The part of a machine that shows numbers or settings, like on a clock or speedometer.
A flat or curved surface with numbers, symbols, or indicators used to show a measurement, position, or setting on a device.
VERB
A2
2
Usage pattern:
to dial [a number/setting]
Please dial the oven to 200 degrees before you start baking.
Kérlek, állítsd be a sütőt 200 fokra, mielőtt elkezdesz sütni.
He dialed the radio to his favorite station.
A rádiót a kedvenc adójára állította.
You need to dial the safe to the correct combination.
She carefully dialed the microscope to get a clear view.
Learner examples
Dial the number on your phone.
Tárcsázd a számot a telefonodon.
Dial the radio to this station.
Állítsd a rádiót erre az adóra.
Dial the heat up to high.
Dial the safe to open it.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this sense with 'call' someone on the phone; modern usage in phone context is less literal due to touchscreens.
Meaning
turn a control knob or wheel
Collocations
dial a number
|dial the thermostat
|dial in a frequency
Synonyms
adjust (General term for making small changes to settings.)
|
tune (Often used for adjusting radio or TV frequencies.)
Themes
technology
|daily life
|daily_life
|work
Definition
To turn a control on a machine to choose something.
To turn a knob, wheel, or similar control to choose a setting, number, or position.
VERB
A1
3
Usage pattern:
to dial [a phone number]
I need to dial her number before we leave.
Indulás előtt még tárcsáznom kell a számát.
He quickly dialed 911 when he saw smoke.
Amikor meglátta a füstöt, gyorsan tárcsázta a 911-et.
You can also dial from your contacts list.
She accidentally dialed the wrong number.
Learner examples
Dial 911 for help.
Segítségért tárcsázd a 911-et.
Dial my number when you get home.
Tárcsázd a számomat, amikor hazaérsz.
He dials her phone number.
She dials and waits for him to answer.
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'dial' only applies to old rotary phones; it is still used for pressing buttons or touchscreen numbers.
Meaning
enter phone number to call
Collocations
dial 911
|dial his number
|dial long distance
Synonyms
call (More general; does not specify entering the number manually.)
Themes
communication
|technology
|daily_life
Definition
To put a phone number into a phone to call someone.
To press or turn numbers on a telephone in order to connect a call.
Grammar
Dictionary form
dial
IPA
GB/dˈaɪl/
US/dˈaɪl/
Syllables & stress
dial (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (dial)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: dial
- Plural: dials
Verb
- Base: dial
- 3rd Person Singular: dials
- Present Participle: dialing, dialling
- Past: dialed, dialled
- Past Participle: dialled
Word family
Forms
dials
noun
dialing
verb
dialling
verb
dialed
verb
dialled
verb
Related words
redial
verb
dialer
noun
Highlights
- Irregular past participle: dialled Verb
Expressions
dial down
1/dˈaɪl dˈaʊn/
phrasal verb
reduce intensity or amount
To make something less strong, loud, or intense.
Examples
- You should dial down the volume before the neighbors complain.
- He needs to dial down his anger during meetings.
dial in
1/dˈaɪl ˈɪn/
phrasal verb
adjust something precisely
To change something carefully until it works or looks best.
Examples
- The photographer took time to dial in the perfect settings.
- It took a few tries to dial in the recipe so it tasted just right.
dial up
1/dˈaɪl ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
increase intensity or amount
To make something stronger, louder, or more intense.
Examples
- They decided to dial up their marketing efforts before the holiday season.
- Can you dial up the heat? It's cold in here.