Meaning & use
telegram
Last updated
Meaning
nouncountable
A short written message sent quickly over a distance using telegraph technology, common before telephones were widespread.
Grammar: Countable; you send a telegram, receive a telegram, or get a telegram.
Patterns
- send a telegram
- receive a telegram
- a telegram from someone
In the 1920s, people sent telegrams to announce important news like births or deaths.
She received a telegram from her brother saying he had arrived safely.
The telegraph office delivered telegrams by bicycle.
Word forms
| plural | telegrams |
|---|
Common combinations
- send a telegram
- He sent a telegram to his parents to tell them he was engaged.
- receive a telegram
- She received a telegram with the good news.
- a telegram arrives
- The telegram arrived late at night, causing great excitement.
- by telegram
- In those days, urgent messages were sent by telegram.
Synonyms and how they differ
Word family
- telegraph noun
- The system or device for sending messages by electric signals.
- telegraphic adjective
- Relating to telegraphs or telegrams; also used for a very short style of writing.
Commonly confused: telegram or telegram (app)?
telegram vs telegram (app)
Telegram is also the name of a messaging app, but that is a brand name.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'telegram' correctly?
Choose one answer.
We send a telegram to someone or to announce something. The other prepositions do not fit this pattern.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “telegram”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.