tele

or tel·ly

[ tel-ee ]

/ ˈtɛl i /

Save This Word!

noun British Informal.

television.

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of tele

By shortening

Words nearby tele

Telanthropus, Telautograph, Tel Aviv, Telchines, telco, tele, Teleboides, telecamera, telecast, telecine, telecom

Other definitions for tele (2 of 4)

tele-¹

a combining form meaning “distant,” especially “transmission over a distance,” used in the formation of compound words: telegraph.

Also tel-, telo-.

Origin of tele-

Combining form representing Greek têle far, akin to télos end (see tele-²)

Other definitions for tele (3 of 4)

tele-²

a combining form meaning “end,” “complete,” used in the formation of compound words: telestich.

Also tel-, teleo-, telo-.

Origin of tele-

Combining form representing Greek télos end, and téleios perfected; akin to teleîn to fulfill

Other definitions for tele (4 of 4)

tele.

abbreviation

television.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use tele in a sentence

Vitter has been holding a series of town-hall meetings and tele-town-hall meetings, signaling the obvious intention.
There’s No Getting Rid of David Vitter, America’s Most Contemptible Senator|Michael Tomasky|January 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Mandleco strode for the tele-stat, then turned back and pointed a trembling finger at Beardsley.
We're Friends, Now|Henry Hasse
His thumb tripped the tele-transport control and from the engine rooms came a drone of power.
Empire|Clifford Donald Simak
Once again the tele-transport had reached out, wrapped its fingers around the men who stepped from the little ship.
Empire|Clifford Donald Simak

He dropped the tele-talkie behind the seat and examined the gauge on his oxygen tank.
The Quantum Jump|Robert Wicks
The global community of tele-viewing is splitting into smaller and smaller groups.
The Civilization of Illiteracy|Mihai Nadin

British Dictionary definitions for tele

tele-

before a vowel tel-

combining form

at or over a distance; distanttelescope; telegony; telekinesis; telemeter

televisiontelecast

by means of or via telephone or television

Word Origin for tele-

from Greek tele far

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for tele

tele-

A prefix that means at a distance, as in telemetry.