Meaning & use
TV
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable or uncountable
A device that receives broadcast signals and shows pictures and sound; television.
Grammar: Countable when referring to the physical set ('a TV'), uncountable when referring to the medium or programs ('on TV').
Patterns
- watch TV
- on TV
- a TV set
We bought a new TV for the living room.
The children are not allowed to watch TV after dinner.
She appeared on TV last night to talk about the project.
noununcountable
The system or business of broadcasting pictures and sound to people's homes.
Grammar: Uncountable; often used with 'on' to mean 'broadcast by television'.
Patterns
- on TV
- TV show
- TV industry
He works in TV as a producer.
There's nothing good on TV tonight.
Common combinations
- watch TV
- I like to watch TV in the evening.
- on TV
- The match will be shown on TV.
- TV show
- Her favorite TV show starts at eight.
- TV screen
- The TV screen was too bright in the dark room.
- reality TV
- Reality TV is very popular with young viewers.
Synonyms and how they differ
- television
- The full form; 'TV' is more informal and common in everyday speech.
- telly
- British informal word for television; not used in American English.
- the tube
- American slang for television; very informal and old-fashioned now.
Word family
- television noun
- The full word that 'TV' stands for.
Commonly confused: TV or monitor?
TV vs monitor
A monitor is a screen for a computer or a closed-circuit system, not a device for receiving broadcast TV.
Practice
Which sentence is correct?
Choose one answer.
'Watch TV' is the standard phrase for watching television in general. 'On TV' needs a verb like 'see' or 'be on', 'watch the TV' is unusual unless you mean the physical set, and 'watch a TV' is not used for watching programs.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “TV”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.