recall
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to bring a fact, event, or situation back into your mind.
v.to retrieve information or experiences from memory. Often used with a direct object or a 'that' clause.
Simple“I can't recall exactly what he said during the meeting yesterday.”
In context“The witness struggled to recall the specific details of the vehicle, though she was certain about the driver's height.”
PitfallI recall to see him at the party. I recall seeing him at the party.When 'recall' is followed by another verb, use the -ing form, not the infinitive with 'to'.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to ask customers to return a product because it is broken or dangerous.
v.to issue a formal request for the return of a batch of products due to safety defects or manufacturing errors.
Simple“The car company had to recall thousands of vehicles because of a brake problem.”
In context“The manufacturer decided to recall the entire line of infant car seats after a minor structural flaw was discovered during routine testing.”
- 03 C1 Advanced
v.to officially ask someone to return to a place.
v.to officially summon someone back to a previous location, station, or duty.
Simple“The ambassador was recalled to his home country for urgent talks.”
In context“Following the sudden escalation of the border dispute, the government recalled its senior diplomats to the capital for an emergency briefing.”
- 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the ability to remember things you have seen or heard.
n.the faculty or power of remembering; the capacity for information retrieval.
Simple“She has an amazing recall of names and faces, even after many years.”
In context“The candidate's total recall of obscure legislative details impressed the interview panel during the final round of questioning.”
- 05 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.an official order to return a faulty or dangerous product.
n.a public request by a manufacturer for the return of a product that may be defective or unsafe.
Simple“The supermarket issued a recall for the chicken because of a health risk.”
In context“The massive product recall cost the electronics firm millions in lost revenue and severely damaged its reputation for quality control.”
Synonyms - 06 C1 Advanced
n.a vote to remove an elected leader from their job before their time is finished.
n.a procedure by which voters can remove an elected official from office through a direct vote before their term has ended.
Simple“The governor faced a recall after the public became unhappy with his new taxes.”
In context“The city charter allows for a recall election if a sufficient number of registered voters sign a formal petition within ninety days.”
SynonymsAntonyms
Usage recalls seeing · recalled one
“He said he could not recall the Bowral meeting.”
“She recalls her daughter using it as a child.”
From re- + call, probably modelled on Latin revocāre, French rappeler, English withcall.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.