See also: dialin and dial-in

English edit

Etymology edit

dial + in, from tuning in to a radio frequency by changing the dial, or dialling a telephone number (originally on a rotary dial).

Verb edit

dial in (third-person singular simple present dials in, present participle dialling in or (US) dialing in, simple past and past participle dialled in or (US) dialed in)

  1. To configure or set up (particularly a complex machine with many configuration options [especially knobs and dials]).
    Coordinate term: tune
    Before starting the recording, make sure you've dialled in the right synthesiser settings.
  2. To connect (to a system or service) by telephone.
    Coordinate term: call in
    I tried dialling in to the server, but I couldn't connect.
  3. To join or participate in (a conference call).
    Synonym: call in
    Did you dial in to that earnings announcement?
  4. (figurative) To apprehend and align oneself (to an idea, circumstance, way of thinking, etc.).
    Coordinate term: pick up on
    The company quickly dialled in to the fact that customers wanted greater convenience.
    Nowadays most people are dialled in to the idea that smoking is bad for you.
    • 2022 November 12, Matteo Wong, “How Did America End Up With the Z.O.M.B.I.E. Act?”, in The Atlantic[1]:
      Starting in the ’90s, politicians began treating elections like advertising campaigns and used focus groups to dial in the most effective rhetoric, according to the Stanford economist Matthew Gentzkow, who has analyzed congressional speeches.

Usage notes edit

When used as a verb, unhyphenated; when used as an adjective, hyphenated (dial-in).

Derived terms edit

See also edit

Anagrams edit