Phrase guide

collect call

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A telephone call paid for by the receiver (callee), as opposed to the caller.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: Canada, US

Examples

  • Hello, operator — I'd like to make a collect call.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

a telephone call that the receiving party is asked to pay for

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: call, phone call, telephone call

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: vastapuhelu — a phone call paid for by the receiver
  • French: PCV — a phone call paid for by the receiver
  • German: R-Gespräch — a phone call paid for by the receiver
  • Persian: تماس میزبانوار — a phone call paid for by the receiver
  • Polish: rozmowa na koszt rozmówcy — a phone call paid for by the receiver