tv

tv — noun

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

1.nounA1
Definition

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.

Example

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)

Common collocations
  • turn on the TV
  • turn off the TV
  • watch TV
  • be on TV
  • appear on TV
  • flat-screen TV
  • TV show
  • TV series
  • cable TV
  • satellite TV
Synonyms
  • television

    the full form of the word; more formal

  • telly

    informal British English term

  • the box

    informal, slightly dated British English slang

Usage Note

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.

Common Mistakes

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.nounC2
Definition

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

Example

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Owen explained that the abbreviation TV for transvestite is now considered outdated by many people.

outdated/informal register

Synonyms

Usage Note

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 The term 'transvestite' itself has largely been replaced by 'cross-dresser' in modern usage.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.

Common Mistakes

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.
Idioms

on TV

idiom

Being shown or broadcast through television.

Maya watched her favorite show on TV last night.

Is the football game on TV this Saturday?

Word family

  • television
    nounA1
  • televise
    verbC1
  • televised
    adjectiveB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Television' is the full formal term for both the device and the broadcasting system ('the invention of television'). 'TV' is the standard neutral abbreviation used in everyday speech and writing ('watch TV', 'a TV show') — it is far more common than the full form in casual settings. 'Telly' is an informal British shortening ('what's on the telly tonight?') that sounds natural in UK conversation but is rare in American English. 'The box' is a dated British slang term that was common in the mid-20th century ('switch off the box') but sounds old-fashioned today. For learners, 'TV' is the safest all-purpose choice; use 'television' for formal writing, and avoid 'the box' unless you understand its dated flavour.

television ↗telly ↗the box

Common collocations

Nouns

  • TV show
  • TV series
  • TV programme
  • TV screen
  • TV set
  • TV channel
  • TV station
  • TV remote
  • TV guide

Phrases

  • watch TV
  • turn on the TV
  • turn off the TV
  • appear on TV
  • be on TV
  • switch off the TV
  • flat-screen TV
  • cable TV
  • satellite TV
  • stream TV

Prepositions

Etymology

GreekLatinEnglish

'TV' is an abbreviation of 'television', which was formed in the early 20th century from the Greek 'tele' meaning 'far' or 'distant' and the Latin 'visio' meaning 'sight' or 'seeing'. The abbreviation 'TV' first appeared in the 1940s as television became a household technology and gained widespread use in the 1950s.