1 B1 neutral
To shout or speak toward someone in order to get their attention.
"She called to him from across the street, but he didn't hear her."
inseparable
call to
B2 neutral inseparable transitive
To shout or speak loudly toward someone in order to attract their attention or appeal to them.
In plain English
To call out to someone, like yelling 'Hey!' to get their attention.
What does "call to" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic formal
To appeal to someone's feelings, instincts, or sense of duty.
"The sight of the abandoned puppy called to her nurturing instincts."
“
The sea calls to me.
— John Masefield, 'Sea Fever', 1902
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To direct a call toward someone or something.
Actually means
To call out to someone, like yelling 'Hey!' to get their attention.
Usage tip
Often used in narrative or literary contexts. Can describe a physical call (shouting) or a figurative appeal (calling to someone's conscience or sense of duty).
Words that pair with "call to"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
conscience mind duty passerby soldiers crowd
How to conjugate "call to"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
call to
I/you/we/they
3rd person
calls to
he/she/it
Past simple
called to
yesterday
Past participle
called to
have + pp
-ing form
calling to
continuous
Hear "call to" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "call to" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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