telegraphic
Americanadjective
-
of or relating to the telegraph.
-
concise, clipped, or elliptical in style.
telegraphic speech.
adjective
-
used in or transmitted by telegraphy
-
of or relating to a telegraph
-
having a concise style; clipped
telegraphic speech
Other Word Forms
- nontelegraphic adjective
- pretelegraphic adjective
- telegraphically adverb
Etymology
Origin of telegraphic
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
In his paperwork, he described a system for transmitting telegraphic signals to and from moving trains by means of electromagnetic induction—messages sent through the air, without physical contact.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 18, 2026
Yeah, Winslow is a guy who writes hard-boiled crime fiction full of leggy, tough-talking dolls and guys with $70,000 watches and short, telegraphic sentences.
From Salon • Apr. 6, 2024
As a grad student, Blackburn began trying her hand at this telegraphic style of storytelling.
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 11, 2024
It could also communicate with other instruments using telegraphic signals.
From Scientific American • Aug. 16, 2023
He formed an exposition fire department and ordered the installation of hundreds of fire hydrants and telegraphic alarm boxes.
From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
