The difference is that apply lets you invoke the function with arguments as an array; call requires the parameters be listed explicitly. A useful mnemonic is "A for array and C for comma." See here and here . Pseudo syntax: theFunction.apply(valueForThis, arrayOfArgs) theFunction.call(valueForThis, arg1, arg2, ...) Sample code: function theFunction ( name , profession ) { alert ( "My name is " + name + " and I am a " + profession + "." ); } theFunction ( "John" , "fireman" ); theFunction . apply ( undefined , [ "Susan" , "school teacher" ]); theFunction . call ( undefined , "Claude" , "mathematician" ); via: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/1986896/what-is-the-difference-between-call-and-apply