dial in

See also: dialin and dial-in

English

Etymology

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

Verb

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

   Antonym: dial out

   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

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

Derived terms

• dial-in (adj)
• dial-in time

See also

• tune in

Anagrams

• Daniil, anilid, inlaid, laniid