An autodialer is a tool that is used to automatically dial telephone numbers and deliver pre-recorded messages or connect the call to a live operator. It is widely used in the telemarketing industry to make sales calls, conduct surveys, and provide customer service.
Definitions
According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), an autodialer is any technology that has the capacity to dial numbers without human intervention. It includes predictive dialers, which use algorithms to predict when a telemarketer will be available to take the call, and power dialers, which automatically dial numbers from a list.
Origin
The first autodialer was invented in the 1930s by Bell Labs, a research division of AT&T. It was used to automatically dial emergency numbers from a phone booth and was later adapted for use in the telemarketing industry.
Meaning in different dictionaries
Merriam-Webster defines autodialer as “a device that automatically dials a telephone number and delivers a recorded message or connects the call to a live operator.”
The Oxford English Dictionary defines autodialer as “a device that automatically dials a telephone number and connects the call to a pre-recorded message or a live operator.”
Associations
Autodialers are often associated with telemarketing and robocalls. They are also used by political campaigns to reach voters and by non-profit organizations to solicit donations.
Synonyms
Some synonyms of autodialer include automatic dialer, predictive dialer, and power dialer.
Antonyms
There are no direct antonyms of autodialer, but some alternatives to using an autodialer include manually dialing numbers or using a call center to make calls.
The same root words
There are no direct root words of autodialer, but the prefix “auto-” means self or automatic, and the suffix “-dialer” refers to a device that dials telephone numbers.
Example Sentences
- The telemarketing company uses an autodialer to make hundreds of calls per hour.
- The political campaign used an autodialer to reach voters and encourage them to vote.
- The non-profit organization used an autodialer to solicit donations from its supporters.
- The FCC regulates the use of autodialers to prevent unwanted robocalls.
- The customer service center uses an autodialer to connect customers to live operators.