Phrase guide

wake-up call

noun · 4 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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  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A telephone call to awaken someone at a certain time, especially one requested by the person while staying at a hotel.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: US, literally

Examples

  • She requested a five a.m. wake-up call from the front desk.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: alarm call, morning call

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

An alert, reminder, or call to action caused by a dramatic event.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively

Examples

  • Near-synonym: reality check
  • The recent deaths should serve as a wake-up call to others at risk.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: reality check

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

a telephone call that you request be made a specific time in order to wake you up at that time (especially in hotels)

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • she left a wake-up call for 7 a.m.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: call, phone call, telephone call

4

noun

Meaning 4

a warning to take action concerning something that was overlooked or neglected

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the bombing was a wake-up call to strengthen domestic security

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: warning

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

34 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 叫醒電話 /叫醒电话 (jiàoxǐng diànhuà) — morning courtesy call
  • Chinese Mandarin: 叫醒服務 /叫醒服务 (jiàoxǐng fúwù) — morning courtesy call
  • Finnish: herätyssoitto — morning courtesy call
  • French: réveil par téléphone — morning courtesy call
  • French: réveil téléphonique — morning courtesy call
  • German: Weckruf — morning courtesy call
  • Japanese: モーニングコール (mōningu kōru) — morning courtesy call
  • Malay: panggilan kejut — morning courtesy call
  • Polish: pobudka — morning courtesy call
  • Spanish: llamada de despertador — morning courtesy call
  • Swedish: telefonväckning — morning courtesy call
  • Chinese Mandarin: 當頭棒喝 /当头棒喝 (dāngtóubànghè) — call to action
  • Dutch: wake-up call — call to action
  • Finnish: herätys — call to action
  • French: signal d'alarme — call to action
  • French: coup de semonce — call to action
  • French: avertissement — call to action
  • French: piqûre de rappel — call to action
  • Galician: advertencia — call to action
  • German: Warnung — call to action
  • German: Alarmzeichen — call to action
  • German: Alarmsignal — call to action
  • Italian: campanello d'allarme — call to action
  • Malay: panggilan kejut — call to action
  • Māori: karanga-oho — call to action
  • Polish: pobudka — call to action
  • Russian: сигнал тревоги — call to action
  • Spanish: alerta — call to action
  • Spanish: aldabonazo — call to action
  • Spanish: toque de atención — call to action
  • Spanish: revulsivo — call to action
  • Spanish: verle las orejas al lobo — call to action
  • Spanish: aldabada — call to action
  • Swedish: väckarklocka — call to action