caller

¹ American  

[kaw-ler] / ˈkɔ lər /

noun

1. a person or thing that calls.

2. a person who makes a short visit.

3. 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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caller ² American  

[kal-er, kah-ler] / ˈkæl ər, ˈkɑ lər /

adjective

Scot. and North England.

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

2. refreshing.

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caller ¹ British  

/ ˈkɔːlə /

noun

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

2. a racing commentator

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caller ² British  

/ ˈkɒlər, ˈkælə, ˈkælər /

adjective

1. (of food, esp fish) fresh

2. cool

   a caller breeze

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Usage

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.

Synonym Usage

See visitor.

Etymology

Origin of caller¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English. See call, -er ¹

Origin of caller²

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

Example Sentences

Patricia said the surveyor, recommended by the caller, visited her home and reported the insulation was "rock solid" and had prevented proper ventilation of the rafters, creating a risk of rot and potential roof collapse.

From BBC • May 10, 2026

“I don’t have a problem with someone’s First Amendment rights,” the caller said.

From Slate • May 4, 2026

The law enforcement response is often prompted by a caller who reports a false violent crime at a home.

From Barron's • Apr. 29, 2026

Officers arrived and encountered a man matching the description provided by the caller and attempted to deescalate the situation, police said.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 18, 2026

He looked at the caller ID and picked up.

From "Zeitoun" by Dave Eggers

Related Words

• guest