noun
Common
telegraph
TEHL-ih-grahf
Telegraph (noun) means a system, or the device, used to send coded messages over long distances using electrical signals. Example: “The old telegraph office in the village is now a small museum.”
noun
1
A system, or the device, used to send coded messages over long distances using electrical signals.
"The old telegraph office in the village is now a small museum."
"Operators once tapped out messages on the telegraph using a short code of dots and dashes."
"News once travelled by telegraph across continents in minutes."
verb
1
To unintentionally reveal an intention through an obvious sign, gesture, or expression.
"Don't telegraph your surprise when we walk in with the cake."
"His nervous glance telegraphed that he was about to lie."
"The boxer telegraphed his punch, giving his opponent time to dodge."
How to use telegraph
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishOriginally a long-distance messaging system; now often used figuratively for accidentally revealing your intentions.
Common mistake
The figurative sense ("telegraph your intentions") is now far more common in everyday speech than the literal old communication device.
Common pairings
telegraph your intentions
send a telegraph
telegraph line
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Word forms
- Plural
- telegraphs
- Third person singular
- telegraphs
- Past tense
- telegraphed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old _____ office in the village is now a small museum.
Etymology
Borrowed from French telegraphe, from "tele-" ("far") plus "-graph" ("writing"), coined as a name for Claude Chappe's semaphore network.
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “telegraph” mean?
The word “telegraph” means a system, or the device, used to send coded messages over long distances using electrical signals. In plain terms, originally a long-distance messaging system; now often used figuratively for accidentally revealing your intentions.
How do you pronounce “telegraph”?
“Telegraph” is pronounced TEHL-ih-grahf (/ˈtɛl.ɪ.ɡɹæf/ in IPA).
How do you use “telegraph” in a sentence?
Here is “telegraph” used in a sentence: “News once travelled by telegraph across continents in minutes.”
What part of speech is “telegraph”?
Depending on how it is used, “telegraph” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “telegraph” come from?
The word “telegraph” comes from French. Borrowed from French telegraphe, from "tele-" ("far") plus "-graph" ("writing"), coined as a name for Claude Chappe's semaphore network.
Is “telegraph” a common word?
“Telegraph” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “telegraph” have?
“Telegraph” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a system, or the device, used to send coded messages over long distances using electrical signals.
What is the difference between telegraph and telegram?
The telegraph is the system or device that sends coded messages over long distances using electrical signals, while a telegram is an individual message sent by that system. In short, you send a telegram by telegraph.
What is the difference between telegraph and telephone?
A telegraph transmits coded messages — famously in Morse code — as electrical signals, so each message has to be encoded and decoded. A telephone transmits the human voice directly, allowing live conversation.
When should you use telegraph instead of reveal?
Use telegraph when something is given away unintentionally and in advance through an obvious sign, gesture, or expression, as in "his smile telegraphed the surprise." Reveal is neutral and can be deliberate, while telegraph almost always implies clumsy or unwanted disclosure before the event.
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