Search Dictionary
Definition of telly

telly

/ˈtɛl.i/
tel · ly
Plural:tellies
JUMP TO:

telly Lexical Profile

telly Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

British A television set, or the medium of television broadcasting and programming.

Example

"We spent a quiet Sunday evening on the sofa watching a documentary on the telly."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for telly

• Rhymes for telly

• Nearby Words

telling
tellingly
telltale
telly
telopea
temblor
temp

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the 1940s in British English as an informal shortening of 'television' combined with the familiar suffix '-y'.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Telly. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/telly
Built for writers, students, and competitive word game players, Wordmom combines an uncluttered English dictionary and thesaurus with fast, pattern-based word finders so you can verify definitions, synonyms, and high-scoring tile plays in one place.
Word Games & Solvers
Word FinderScrabble Word FinderWords With Friends CheatWordle SolverAnagram Solver
Dictionary & Reference
DictionarySynonymsAntonymsWords
Community
Contact UsEditorial PolicyPrivacy PolicyTerms and Conditions
© 2016–2026 Wordmom Network. All rights reserved. Made with for word lovers everywhere.
Disclaimer: SCRABBLE® is a registered trademark. All intellectual property rights in and to the game are owned in the U.S.A. and Canada by Hasbro Inc., and throughout the rest of the world by J.W. Spear & Sons Limited of Maidenhead, Berkshire, England, a subsidiary of Mattel Inc. Mattel and Spear are not affiliated with Hasbro. Words With Friends® is a registered trademark of Zynga Inc. Wordle® is a registered trademark of The New York Times Company. Other referenced game titles and tournament lexicon codes (including NASPA NWL and WESPA/HarperCollins CSW) are trademarks of their respective owners. Wordmom is an independent reference utility for educational and entertainment purposes and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by Hasbro, Mattel, Spear, Zynga, The New York Times Company, NASPA, WESPA, or HarperCollins Publishers. All game names are referenced strictly under nominative fair use to indicate compatibility.