WordGarden.iocaller
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /kˈɔːlə/
US
- /ˈkɔlər/
Meanings
Noun
a person who contacts someone by phone
a person who announces numbers, moves, or instructions in a game or dance
a person who visits someone briefly or socially
More meaningsFewer meanings
a routine or program component that invokes another routine
Beyond the definition
Imagine you're settling in for a quiet evening when the phone rings. The person on the other end could be anyone—a friend, a family member, or even someone trying to sell you something. A caller is usually the person who starts a phone conversation. But it doesn't always mean a phone call. Historically, a "caller" also described someone who visits, usually in a social or formal context, and this usage is less common today. Think of it as anyone "calling upon" you—whether by voice on the line or by appearing at your door. If you're tracking support requests, the "number of callers" shows how many people reached out for help.
The word caller most commonly refers to a person who makes a phone or video call. It is the individual who initiates the exchange—the one dialing, clicking, or otherwise starting the connection. For example, "The 911 operator asked the caller for their location." In support environments, you might hear about "high volumes of callers" during peak hours or analyze "caller demographics" to improve service.
However, caller also has an older social sense. Historically, it referred to someone who paid a visit, especially when the visit was formal or expected: "She received several callers during afternoon tea." You may still see this meaning in older novels, period drama, or traditional event descriptions.
In many specialized settings, a caller has a role-based meaning: a "bingo caller" announces numbers, while a "square dance caller" leads dancers through the figures. The rise of caller ID has made identifying callers easier, but it still matters to know who is reaching out—whether over the phone, on a video platform, or at your door.
Examples
- 1
Waiting caller
The next caller said she had been waiting for over an hour.
- 2
Interview process
Each caller is asked to say their name before the interview begins.
- 3
Radio show
One caller to the radio show shared a cheap way to save energy.
- 4
Phone display
Caller ID showed an unfamiliar number, so I let it go to voicemail.
- PhraseCaller ID
a phone feature that shows who is calling
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Emergency services
The emergency caller stayed calm and gave the operator the exact address.
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- callernounadjective
Forms
- callerspluralnounadjective