Dial

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈdaɪəɫ/
• Rhymes: -aɪəl

Origin

Its original meaning was 'sundial' and/or 'clock dial', from Latin diālis ("daily, concerning the day"), because of its use in telling the time of day.

Full definition of dial

Noun

1. A graduated, circular scale over which a needle moves to show a measurement (such as speed).
2. A clock face.
3. A sundial.
4. A panel on a radio etc showing wavelengths or channels; a knob that is turned to change the wavelength etc.
5. A disk with finger holes on a telephone; used to select the number to be called.
6. (British, dated) A person's face.
• 1960: At the sound of the old familiar voice he spun around with something of the agility of a cat on hot bricks, and I saw that his dial, usually cheerful, was contorted with anguish, as if he had swallowed a bad oyster. (P. G. Wodehouse, Jeeves in the Offing, chapter IX)
7. A miner's compass.

Verb

1. (transitive) To measure or indicate something with a dial.
2. (transitive) To control or select something with a dial
3. (transitive) To select a number, or to call someone, on a telephone.
4. (intransitive) To use a dial or a telephone.

Usage notes

Dialing and dialed are more common in the US. Dialling and dialled are more common in the UK.

Derived terms

• dial-in
• dial in
• dial-up
• dialer US
• dial tone
• misdial
• redial

Anagrams

• Dail
• laid