# Cal

/ˈkæɫ/ (US)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/cal
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. calorie

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a short way to write 'calorie', which is a unit of energy in food.

For teachers: a clipping of calorie, used as a unit of energy in nutritional contexts.

- This soda has zero cals, so it is a popular choice for people on a diet.
- The athlete tracked every cal consumed during the training cycle to ensure their energy intake matched their rigorous output.

Usage: Usually written in the plural form 'cals' in informal speech or fitness apps.

### 2. caliber

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical · American English

a short way to write 'caliber', which describes the width of a gun's barrel or a bullet.

For teachers: a clipping of caliber, referring to the internal diameter of a firearm barrel or the diameter of a projectile.

- The soldier checked the ammo to make sure it was the right cal for his rifle.
- The ballistic report identified the weapon as a .45 cal handgun based on the markings found on the recovered shell casings.

Usage: Often preceded by a decimal point when referring to specific measurements.

### 3. calendar

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

a short way to write 'calendar'.

For teachers: a clipping of calendar, typically used in scheduling or digital interfaces.

- Check the cal to see if we are free for dinner next Tuesday.
- The project manager updated the shared cal to reflect the new milestones for the third quarter.

### 4. calibration

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a short way to write 'calibration', which means checking or adjusting a tool to make it accurate.

For teachers: a clipping of calibration, referring to the process of adjusting a precision instrument.

- The technician performed a quick cal on the scales before weighing the chemicals.
- Standard operating procedures require a daily cal of the sensors to maintain data integrity across all laboratory experiments.

### 5. personal name

noun · CEFR B1 · Informal

a short name for people named Caleb, Calvin, or Callum.

For teachers: a diminutive or hypocoristic form of several male given names, including Caleb, Calvin, and Callum.

- Everyone at the office calls him Cal instead of his full name, Calvin.
- Cal was known for his quiet demeanor, a trait he shared with his grandfather after whom he was named.

Usage: Always capitalized when used as a name.

## Examples

- The soldier carried a .50 cal machine gun.
- The range officer specified that only small cal firearms were permitted on the indoor practice course for safety reasons.
- While the heavy machine gun's .50 cal rounds provided superior penetration against light armor, the logistical burden of transporting such heavy ammunition limited the unit's mobility during the mountain operation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.