tele-
/tel.ɪ-/ (bre, ipa) · /tel.ə-/ (ame, ipa)
tele- — prefix
1. used before a noun or adjective to show that something happens, exists, or works
used before a noun or adjective to show that something happens, exists, or works over a very long distance, rather than nearby
A telescope lets Noor see stars and planets that are millions of miles away.
tele- + scope = instrument for viewing distant objects
Jiwoo read about telepathy and wondered if thoughts could really travel between minds.
tele- + pathy = communication across distance
In science fiction films, characters can teleport instantly from one planet to another.
Teleconference software allows Adina to join a meeting in Paris while sitting in her Taipei office.
- long-distance
used as an adjective for travel or communication, while tele- is a bound prefix
- remote
describes a location, while tele- always attaches to a noun it modifies
- close-range
describes something happening nearby, contrasting with the 'distant' meaning of tele-
- local
describes something restricted to a small area
文法句型
tele- + [noun/adjective]
用法筆記
This is the original Greek meaning of 'tele-'. Many modern technology words still build on this core sense of distance (telemedicine, telecommuting, telesurgery).
常見錯誤
2. used to form words connected with the telephone system or communication by phone
used to form words connected with the telephone system or communication by phone
Tanvi picked up the telephone and dialled her grandmother's number in Mumbai.
tele- + phone = device for distant voice communication
Fumiko chatted on the telephone with her cousin in Kyoto every Sunday morning.
Lots of people hang up immediately when a telemarketer calls during dinner.
Modern telephony allows Leo to make video calls on his phone to colleagues in Brazil.
- phone
a standalone noun, while tele- is a prefix that needs a base
文法句型
tele- + [noun/verb]
用法筆記
Not every word beginning with 'tele-' relates to telephone (e.g. telescope uses the 'distant' sense). Context tells you which meaning applies.
常見錯誤
3. used to form words connected with television broadcasting, watching TV programme
used to form words connected with television broadcasting, watching TV programmes, or TV production
Marta watches the evening news on television every night after dinner.
tele- + vision = broadcasting moving pictures over distance
The evening telecast of the awards ceremony reached over ten million viewers in Japan.
The television broadcast of the World Cup final reached over a billion viewers worldwide.
Teleshopping channels let Jessica buy kitchen gadgets without leaving her sofa.
文法句型
tele- + [noun]
用法筆記
This sense has become less productive with the rise of streaming — 'tele-' in new words now more often refers to telecommunications rather than TV specifically.
4. used to form words about modern communication systems that exchange information
used to form words about modern communication systems that exchange information electronically over networks, including the internet
The telecommunications company installed fibre-optic cables across the entire city of Busan.
tele- + communications = electronic information exchange networks
Niran offers online tutoring sessions through a telelearning platform.
Rural hospitals now use telemedicine to connect patients with heart specialists in Tokyo.
The university launched a teleeducation programme for students who live on remote islands.
Telebanking allows Otis to check his account balance and transfer money using his phone.
文法句型
tele- + [noun]
用法筆記
This is the most productive modern sense of 'tele-'. New technology terms frequently use this prefix (telehealth, telework, teleconferencing).
5. used in the past to form nouns connected with sending written messages over long
used in the past to form nouns connected with sending written messages over long distances using telegraph wires
Ezra sent a telegram to announce that his ship had arrived safely in New York harbour.
tele- + gram = message sent by telegraph
In the nineteenth century, the telegraph changed how quickly people could share news across continents.
The telegraph operator tapped out a message in Morse code for the railway station manager.
My great-grandfather worked as a telegraph clerk in a small post office in the 1920s.
文法句型
tele- + [noun]
用法筆記
This sense is historical. Modern equivalents include email, SMS, and instant messaging, so new words using 'tele-' for telegraphy are no longer created.
tele- — noun
1. an informal short form of the word 'television', used especially in everyday spe
an informal short form of the word 'television', used especially in everyday speech and casual writing
What time does the football match start on tele tonight?
tele as standalone noun meaning television
Noor watched an old film on tele because the rain kept everyone indoors.
Jiwoo's grandad calls every evening at seven to ask what is on tele.
There was nothing interesting on tele, so Tanvi read a book instead.
- TV
the standard abbreviation used in both British and American English
- television
the full form, appropriate for formal writing
文法句型
tele as a standalone noun
用法筆記
This abbreviated form is most common in British English ('What's on tele?'). In American English, 'TV' is the standard short form. 'Tele' in this sense is almost never written in formal contexts.