dial
- 01 B1 Intermediate
n.the round face on a tool or machine that shows a measurement, like speed or temperature.
n.a graduated circular scale over which a needle or pointer moves to indicate a specific measurement.
Simple“The pilot watched the dial on the dashboard to check the plane's altitude.”
In context“The engineer monitored the pressure dial closely, ready to shut down the system if the needle entered the red zone.”
- 02 B1 Intermediate
n.a round knob that you turn to change a setting, like the volume on a radio.
n.a rotatable control used to select a frequency, volume level, or other setting on an electronic device.
Simple“Turn the dial to the right if you want to make the heater warmer.”
In context“The vintage amplifier featured a heavy brass dial that allowed for precise adjustments to the bass output.”
- 03 C2 Proficiency
- 04 B1 Intermediate
v.to type a phone number into a phone to make a call.
v.to select a sequence of numbers on a telephone to initiate a connection.
Simple“You need to dial nine first to get an outside line from this office.”
In context“In an emergency, you should dial the local emergency services immediately rather than attempting to contact a private doctor.”
UsageThe verb is transitive when followed by a number or person, but can be intransitive.
- 05 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to change a setting or amount, often used with 'up' or 'down'.
v.to increase or decrease the intensity or amount of something, typically used figuratively with 'up' or 'down'.
Simple“The coach told the players to dial up the pressure in the second half.”
In context“The marketing team decided to dial back the aggressive rhetoric in their latest campaign to avoid alienating more conservative consumers.”