telegram
gb/tˈɛləɡɹˌæm/ us/tˈɛləɡɹˌæm/
B2
English
~ 5900
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
entity
1
written message sent by telegraph
A short written message sent by an old electric system and brought to a person on paper.
Usage pattern:
to send [someone] a telegram
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.
Synonyms
cable (Older term, especially for international telegrams sent by undersea cable.)
|
wire (Dated informal term meaning a telegram.)
Collocations
send a telegram
|receive a telegram
|congratulatory telegram
|urgent telegram
|telegram from [someone]
Themes
communication
|technology
|history
Examples
- 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.
Verb
archaic
C1
action
2
send a telegram to someone
To send a message to someone as a telegram.
Usage pattern:
to telegram [someone] [something]
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.
Synonyms
wire (Older verb meaning to send a telegram to someone.)
|
cable (Older verb used especially for sending long-distance telegrams.)
Collocations
telegram the news
|telegram ahead
|telegram his reply
Themes
communication
|technology
|history
Examples
- He promised to telegram her the moment he arrived in New York.
- The company decided to telegram the confirmation instead of sending a letter.
- 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.
- In the story, the man telegrams his boss with the answer.
- People used to telegram their families when they traveled far away.
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.