tv

/ˌtiː ˈviː/ (bre, ipa) · [tˈivˈi] /ˌtiː ˈviː/ (ame, ipa) · [tˈivˈi] /ˈtē-ˈvē/ (ame, mw)

tv — noun

  • tvsingular
  • tvsplural

1. a piece of electronic equipment that receives broadcast signals and shows them a

1.名詞A1
釋義

a piece of electronic equipment that receives broadcast signals and shows them as moving pictures with sound on a screen; also the system of broadcasting programmes that people watch at home.

例句

Hao turned on the TV to check the weather forecast before his trip.

collocation: turn on the TV

Padma's children are only allowed to watch TV after they finish their homework.

uncountable: watch TV (the medium, not the device)

同義詞
  • television

    the full form of the word; more formal

  • telly

    informal British English term

  • the box

    informal, slightly dated British English slang

用法筆記

Countable when referring to the physical device ('a new TV'), uncountable when referring to the medium or the activity ('watch TV', 'on TV'). In British English, 'the TV' can refer to both the device and what is being broadcast, but this is less common in American English.

常見錯誤

❌I saw a very funny TV yesterday.' (when meaning a programme)
✅I saw a very funny show on TV yesterday.
💡'a TV' means the device, not a programme.
❌She watched the TV all evening.' (in AmE, when meaning the content)
✅She watched TV all evening.
💡Without 'the', it refers to the activity of watching programmes.

2. a written abbreviation for 'transvestite' — a person who wears clothes typically

2.名詞C2
釋義

a written abbreviation for 'transvestite' — a person who wears clothes typically worn by the opposite gender, especially for emotional or sexual reasons.

例句

The magazine article used the abbreviation TV when referring to members of the transvestite community.

written abbreviation in formal contexts

Owen explained that the abbreviation TV for transvestite is now considered outdated by many people.

outdated/informal register

同義詞

用法筆記

This abbreviation is dated and may be considered offensive by some people. The term 'transvestite' itself has largely been replaced by 'cross-dresser' in modern usage. This sense of 'TV' is rarely used in everyday conversation and appears mainly in older written materials or specialised contexts.

常見錯誤

❌I met a TV at the party.' (using the abbreviation as a noun for a person)
✅The article mentioned a patient who was labeled TV.
💡This abbreviation is typically used in written or medical contexts, not as a spoken label for a person.