# telly

/ˈtɛɫi/ (US) · /tˈɛli/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/telly
Updated: 2026-05-07

## Definition

a common word for the television. You use it when talking casually with friends or family.

For teachers: a television set or the medium of television broadcasting. Primarily associated with British English.

## Examples

- What is on the telly tonight?
- After a long day at work, he usually just wants to sit on the sofa and watch the telly.
- The shift from traditional telly to streaming services has fundamentally changed how families consume media together in the evenings.

## Usage notes

- Often used with the definite article 'the' when referring to the medium or the device.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.