dialing
dialing — verb
- dialingpresent simple I / you / we / they
- dialings3rd person singular
- dialinging-ing form
- dialingedpast simple
1. to press the buttons or turn the numbered disc on a telephone so that you can sp
to press the buttons or turn the numbered disc on a telephone so that you can speak to the person or place you are calling
Tyler dialed his sister's number but the line was busy all evening.
dial + number
Bao dialed 119 the moment he spotted flames in the upstairs window.
dial + emergency number
Eitan picked up the handset and dialed the front desk to book a wake-up call.
Andrés accidentally dialed his old boss while scrolling through his contact list.
If the main gate is locked when you arrive, just dial this number on the entry phone.
文法句型
dial + number
dial + person
dial + for + service
用法筆記
When the object is a person, it means calling that person by entering their number. Frequently used with a specific telephone number as the direct object.
常見錯誤
2. to turn or adjust a circular control on a machine so that it works in the way yo
to turn or adjust a circular control on a machine so that it works in the way you want or reaches a particular setting
Iris dialed the oven temperature to 200 degrees for the roast chicken.
dial + temperature setting
Pim slowly dialed the frequency knob until the radio signal came through clearly.
Nila dialed the thermostat down to sixteen degrees before getting into bed.
Rachid carefully dialed the amplifier to the right level for the small jazz club.
文法句型
dial + setting
dial + value
dial + adverb (up/down)
用法筆記
Object is a setting, level, or value rather than a person. Common with technical equipment such as radios, thermostats, ovens, and amplifiers. Distinguish from sense 1 (PHONE NUMBER): this sense involves adjusting machinery, not making telephone calls.
常見錯誤
dialing — noun
- dialingsingular
- dialingsplural
1. the marked front surface of a clock, meter, or measuring instrument, with number
the marked front surface of a clock, meter, or measuring instrument, with numbers and a moving needle that points to the current reading
Kasia tapped the fuel dial with her finger, wondering if the needle was stuck.
fuel dial
Lien watched the speed dial creep past ninety as the train picked up pace.
speed dial
Greta checked the pressure dial on the boiler every single morning without fail.
The pilot stared at the altitude dial as the plane climbed through thick grey cloud.
An old barometer hung on the wall, its brass dial tarnished but still readable.
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 2 (CONTROL KNOB): a measuring dial only displays information and is not turned to change settings. Subject is usually an instrument or gauge.
常見錯誤
2. a round knob or switch on a piece of equipment that you turn to choose a setting
a round knob or switch on a piece of equipment that you turn to choose a setting or adjust how the device works — for example, the volume knob on a stereo system or the heat selector on a cooker
The sound engineer turned the volume dial until the singer's voice filled the hall.
volume dial
Bilal adjusted the brightness dial on the microscope to examine the cell sample.
Iris twisted the tuning dial back and forth, searching for a station without static.
The heating dial on the bathroom radiator had been stuck on maximum for weeks.
Eitan set the oven dial to grill, then slid the tray of vegetables onto the rack.
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (MEASURING FACE): a control dial is turned to change settings; a measuring dial is only read. Control dials are found on devices that users interact with (ovens, radios, heaters).
3. the circular plate with numbered finger holes found on telephones from before th
the circular plate with numbered finger holes found on telephones from before the push-button era, which callers rotated to enter each digit of a phone number
Nila's grandfather still kept a black rotary telephone with a heavy metal dial.
rotary telephone dial
Rachid placed his finger in the numbered hole and turned the dial to call his aunt.
The museum curator showed visitors how to use the dial on a 1940s telephone.
The old bakelite dial clicked satisfyingly as Kasia turned it to each digit.
- rotary dial
more precise term for the telephone mechanism specifically
- telephone dial
clarifies that the dial belongs to a telephone, not another device
用法筆記
Only refers to the physical numbered disc on vintage rotary telephones. Modern phones use buttons or touchscreens, not this type of dial.