abbreviation Uncommon

PPV

pee-pee-VEE

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PPV (abbreviation) means Pay-per-view: a system in which viewers pay a one-off fee to watch a particular event or programme, and by extension the event itself. Example: “The title fight is on PPV at nine.”

abbreviation

broadcasting Pay-per-view: a system in which viewers pay a one-off fee to watch a particular event or programme, and by extension the event itself.

"The title fight is on PPV at nine."

"They bought the PPV and had twenty people round to watch."

medical Positive pressure ventilation: a method of assisting breathing by pushing air into the lungs under pressure.

"The patient was placed on PPV after the oxygen saturation dropped."

statistics, medical Positive predictive value: in testing, the proportion of positive results that are genuinely positive.

"A rare condition drags the PPV of even an accurate test right down."

How to use PPV

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishPaying a one-off fee to watch a single event, usually a fight or a wrestling show.

When to use it

Sense 1 is what nearly all general users mean, especially in boxing, MMA and wrestling coverage. The medical senses stay within clinical writing.

Memory tip

A subscription buys everything for a period; pay-per-view buys one thing, once.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

subscription → VOD → SVOD

Common pairings

buy the PPV PPV buys PPV event main event PPV

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “PPV” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The title fight is on _____ at nine.

Etymology

An initialism; each sense abbreviates a different phrase.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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pay TV event

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between pay-per-view and a subscription?

A subscription charges a recurring fee for access to a whole library or channel for as long as you keep paying. Pay-per-view charges once for a single event, and access usually ends shortly afterwards. Many streaming services now sell PPV events on top of a subscription.

What does PPV buys mean in boxing and wrestling?

It is the number of individual purchases an event sold, used as the headline measure of its commercial success. Fighters often negotiate a share of PPV revenue, so the buy figure directly affects what they earn.

Do you keep a PPV event after it airs?

Usually not. A pay-per-view purchase typically grants access for the live broadcast and a short replay window, after which the event moves to a subscription service or on-demand library. The terms vary by provider.

What is the meaning of PPV?

"PPV" (abbreviation) means pay-per-view: a system in which viewers pay a one-off fee to watch a particular event or programme, and by extension the event itself.

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