telegram
gb/tˈɛləɡɹˌæm/ us/tˈɛləɡɹˌæm/
B2
English
~ 5900
távirat, sürgöny, táviratot küld
NOUN
B2
1
Usage pattern:
to send [someone] a telegram
During the war, many families dreaded the sound of a telegram being delivered to their door.
He received a telegram from his parents announcing the birth of his baby sister.
The museum displays an original telegram that was sent on the day of the declaration of independence.
In the film, a mysterious telegram changes the main character’s plans overnight.
Before telephones were common, an urgent message was often sent as a telegram.
Learner examples
My grandfather once got a telegram from his brother in another country.
The telegram arrived late, so they did not see the message in time.
She kept the old telegram in a box with other family papers.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse "telegram" with "telegraph." A telegram is the message that is sent, while a telegraph is the system or machine used to send it. Learners may also think "telegram" is a common modern word for text messages; in modern life, people usually say "text," "message," or "email" instead.
Meaning
written message sent by telegraph
Collocations
send a telegram
|receive a telegram
|congratulatory telegram
|urgent telegram
|telegram from [someone]
Synonyms
cable (Older term, especially for international telegrams sent by undersea cable.)
|
wire (Dated informal term meaning a telegram.)
Themes
communication
|technology
|history
Definition
A short written message sent by an old electric system and brought to a person on paper.
A written message transmitted over a telegraph network and delivered, usually printed on paper, to the recipient.
VERB
C1
ARCHAIC
2
Usage pattern:
to telegram [someone] [something]
He promised to telegram her the moment he arrived in New York.
Megígérte, hogy táviratot küld neki, amint megérkezik New Yorkba.
The company decided to telegram the confirmation instead of sending a letter.
A cég úgy döntött, hogy levél helyett táviratban küldi el a visszaigazolást.
She hurried to the post office to telegram her parents about the good news.
Learner examples
He said he would telegram me when he got there.
Azt mondta, hogy táviratot küld nekem, amikor odaér.
In the story, the man telegrams his boss with the answer.
A történetben a férfi táviratban küldi el a választ a főnökének.
People used to telegram their families when they traveled far away.
Common mistake:
Learners might try to use "telegram" as a verb for modern electronic messages, but in contemporary English people say "text," "message," or "email," not "telegram," for that action.
Meaning
send a telegram to someone
Collocations
telegram the news
|telegram ahead
|telegram his reply
Synonyms
wire (Older verb meaning to send a telegram to someone.)
|
cable (Older verb used especially for sending long-distance telegrams.)
Themes
communication
|technology
|history
Definition
To send a message to someone as a telegram.
To send a written message to someone using a telegraph service.
Grammar
Dictionary form
telegram
IPA
GB/tˈɛləɡɹˌæm/
US/tˈɛləɡɹˌæm/
Syllables & stress
tele - gram (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (tele)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: telegram
- Plural: telegram, telegrams
Word family
Forms
telegrams
noun
Core family
telegraph
noun B2
Related words
telegraphic
adjective
Advanced or less common
telegraphy
noun
telegrapher
noun
Expressions
send a telegram
1/sˈɛnd ə tˈɛləɡɹˌæm/
fixed phrase
to send someone a telegram
To have a telegram written and sent to a person, usually through a post or telegraph office.
Examples
- He rushed to the post office to send a telegram before it closed.
- If you were late in those days, you would often send a telegram to explain why.
singing telegram
1/sˈɪŋɪŋ tˈɛləɡɹˌæm/
fixed phrase
telegram delivered by a singer
A special telegram where a person comes to you and sings the message instead of just giving you the paper.
Examples
- For her birthday, her friends surprised her with a singing telegram at the office.
- The movie opens with a singing telegram arriving at the front door and causing chaos.
- He thought a singing telegram would be a fun way to send his congratulations.