caller

[ kaw-ler ]

/ ˈkɔ lər /

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noun

a person or thing that calls.

a person who makes a short visit.

Dance. a person who directs the movements of dancers, as at a hoedown or square dance, by calling out the successive figures as the music plays.

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Origin of caller

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English. See call, -er¹

synonym study for caller

2. See visitor.

Words nearby caller

callboy, call center, call centre, call down, called strike, caller, caller ID, Calles, Call-Exner body, call for, call forth

Other definitions for caller (2 of 2)

caller²

[ kal-er, kah-ler ]

/ ˈkæl ər, ˈkɑ lər /

adjective Scot. and North England.

(of fruit, fish, vegetables, etc.) fresh; recently picked or caught.

refreshing.

Origin of caller

1325–75; Middle English, north. variant of calver fresh, alive (said of fish) < ?

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

MORE ABOUT CALLER

What is a basic definition of caller?

A caller is a person who calls, a person who makes a short visit, or a person who shouts out directions.

By far, the most common use of caller is in the sense of a person who calls someone, especially using a phone. In the past, a person would hear from callers using wired telephones but today cell phones and smartphones are much more common.

Real-life examples: Radio shows and podcasts might take questions from callers. A service known as caller ID identifies on a screen who is calling so you can avoid answering unwanted calls (be sure to answer when it’s your mom!). A dog will often run toward a caller using its name.
Used in a sentence: My favorite podcast always ends with a Q&A session with callers.

Less commonly, caller means a guest or a person who makes a short visit. This usage was more common before the widespread use of telephones, but it is still sometimes used to refer to formal visits. Sometimes, caller specifically meant that the person was a date or a romantic partner.

Used in a sentence: My house was a mess because I didn’t expect so many callers to come over today.

Caller can also mean a person whose job is to shout directions or instructions, such as a person directing a square dance or a person calling out numbers in a game of bingo.

Used in a sentence: My heart was racing as I waited for the caller to shout “B5,” the last number I needed to win.

Where does caller come from?

The first records of caller come from around 1400. It comes from late Middle English and is a noun formed from the verb sense of the word call.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to caller?

call (verb)

What are some synonyms for caller?

What are some words that share a root or word element with caller?

What are some words that often get used in discussing caller?

What are some words caller may be commonly confused with?

collar

How is caller used in real life?

Caller is a common word that most often means a person who is using a phone to call someone.

Update! Mary has been FOUND SAFE. Thank you to the 911 caller who saw her standing on a corner and called. #everydayhero #minneapolisproud

— Minneapolis Police (@MinneapolisPD) February 22, 2017

When an unknown caller calls in the movies it’s always something super juicy and exciting.

For me an unknown caller means my extended warranty has run out on my car.

— SaraBeth (@SBSwags) January 30, 2021

John Elway and John Fox are set to take questions from callers.

— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) May 15, 2012

Try using caller!

Is caller used correctly in the following sentence?

I turn my phone off at night so my sleep isn’t interrupted by latenight callers.

How to use caller in a sentence

The caller talked for almost a half an hour and told Kramon at the end that he felt a little better for having told his story.
The loneliness of an interrupted adolescence|Ellen McCarthy|February 11, 2021|Washington Post
The caller was 17, female and speaking barely above a whisper.
The loneliness of an interrupted adolescence|Ellen McCarthy|February 11, 2021|Washington Post
Commissioners also needed help identifying whether a caller spoke Somali or Oromo before they could bring in the right translator.
African Communities Warn Language Issues Could Shut Them Out of Redistricting|Maya Srikrishnan|February 10, 2021|Voice of San Diego
Today, a startup that is building tools to make it easier for emergency response teams to do their jobs by providing them with more immediate data about callers and their circumstances, is announcing a big round of funding as it continues to grow.
RapidSOS raises $85M for a big data platform aimed at emergency responders|Ingrid Lunden|February 9, 2021|TechCrunch

At the meeting in which a new City Council had to choose between the two, hundreds of callers spent hours effusively praising Montgomery Steppe and, sometimes viciously, excoriating Campbell.
What’s Behind the Effort to Recall Council President Jen Campbell|Scott Lewis|February 9, 2021|Voice of San Diego
Should the caller have the temerity to ask where they were, the phone call would be quietly ended.
The Bookstore That Bewitched Mick Jagger, John Lennon, and Greta Garbo|Felice Picano|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Caller: “He has a gray, gray coat with black sleeves and gray pants on.”
The Cleveland Cops Who Fired 137 Shots and Cried Victim|Michael Daly|December 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
So what piece could have so passionately enraged this caller that I was marked for death?
A Female Writer’s New Milestone: Her First Death Threat|Annie Gaus|December 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The caller mentioned my work, which focused primarily on consumer products, mobile apps, emerging start-ups, and web trends.
A Female Writer’s New Milestone: Her First Death Threat|Annie Gaus|December 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Your first telephoned rape and death threat from a strange caller.
A Female Writer’s New Milestone: Her First Death Threat|Annie Gaus|December 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Never keep a caller waiting whilst you make an elaborate toilette.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness|Florence Hartley
A caller at the home of Mlle. Cormon, and afterwards at that of M. du Bousquier, who married "the old maid."
Repertory Of The Comedie Humaine, Complete, A -- Z|Anatole Cerfberr and Jules Franois Christophe
Having escorted his illustrious caller to the outer door, he took his leave with a respectful bow.
Balsamo, The Magician|Alexander Dumas
The caller hauled a plug of tobacco from his pocket, gnawed off a chew, and began slow wagging of his jaws.
Blow The Man Down|Holman Day
The caller pointed to the dim bulk of a small island which the cove held between the bold jaws of its headland.
Blow The Man Down|Holman Day

British Dictionary definitions for caller (1 of 2)

caller¹

/ (ˈkɔːlə) /

noun

a person or thing that calls, esp a person who makes a brief visit

Australian a racing commentator

British Dictionary definitions for caller (2 of 2)

caller²

/ (ˈkælə); (Scottish ˈkælər, ˈkɒlər) /

adjective Scot

(of food, esp fish) fresh

coola caller breeze

Word Origin for caller

C14: perhaps a Scottish variant of calver to prepare fresh salmon or trout in a certain way; perhaps from Old English calwer curds, from a fancied resemblance with the flaked flesh of the fish

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

caller

Origin of caller

synonym study for caller

Words nearby caller

Other definitions for caller (2 of 2)

Origin of caller

MORE ABOUT CALLER

What is a basic definition of caller?

Where does caller come from?

Did you know ... ?

How is caller used in real life?

Try using caller!

Words related to caller

How to use caller in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for caller (1 of 2)

British Dictionary definitions for caller (2 of 2)

Word Origin for caller