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send for

B1 neutral inseparable transitive
In simple words

To tell someone to go and get a person, or to order something to be brought to you.

Meanings

1 B1 neutral

To ask someone to come to you, typically by sending a message or messenger.

"The king sent for his advisers as soon as the news arrived."

"He sent for Jane, and she came at once."

— Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre (1847)
Grammar: inseparable
2 B1 neutral

To order or request that something be delivered or brought to you.

"She sent for a copy of the birth certificate from the local registry office."

Grammar: inseparable
3 A2 neutral

To call for emergency help, such as a doctor or the police.

"Somebody send for an ambulance — he's collapsed on the floor!"

Grammar: inseparable
Usage notes

Slightly formal or old-fashioned when used for summoning people. Still current in everyday contexts such as ordering food or requesting documents.

Commonly used with

doctor police help reinforcements catalogue brochure

Forms

Base
send for
I/you/we/they
3rd person
sends for
he/she/it
Past simple
sent for
yesterday
Past participle
sent for
have + pp
-ing form
sending for
continuous

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Synonyms

summon call for request order fetch send away for

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