Definition

1. Noun:
   • A hostile or harassing telephone call made by an eccentric, annoying, or malicious person: A "crank call" is a phone call intended to disturb, annoy, or trick the recipient, often made anonymously. The caller is typically considered a "crank"—a person with strange or obsessive ideas who may act in a troublesome or irrational manner.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The radio host received a crank call during the live broadcast.
  • She reported the late-night crank calls to the police.
  • Making a crank call is a form of harassment and is illegal in many places.

Advanced Usage

• "to make a crank call": to place such a harassing or prank telephone call.
  • The teenagers were caught trying to make a crank call to their teacher.
• "to get/receive a crank call": to be on the receiving end of such a call.
  • If you get a crank call, just hang up immediately.

Variants and Related Words

• Prank call (n): A very similar term, often implying a mischievous or joking intent rather than purely hostile harassment. "Prank call" is sometimes used interchangeably with "crank call," though "crank call" often carries a stronger connotation of malice or disturbance.
  • He made a prank call pretending to be a pizza delivery service.
• Crank (n): The person who makes such a call; an eccentric or ill-tempered person.
  • Don't pay attention to him; he's just a crank.

Synonyms

• Obscene call: A specific type of crank call involving lewd or offensive language.
• Nuisance call: A broader term for any unwanted or bothersome telephone call.
• Hoax call: A call made to deceive or trick the recipient, often causing false alarm.

Related Phrases

• To crank call someone (verb phrase, informal): The act of making a crank call to a specific person.
  • It's not funny to crank call someone; it's just cruel.

Noun

1. a hostile telephone call (from a crank)