telefeature: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal/Technical
Quick answer
What does “telefeature” mean?
A feature-length film produced specifically for television broadcast.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A feature-length film produced specifically for television broadcast.
A made-for-TV movie, typically with production values and narrative scope comparable to a theatrical film but intended for the television medium. It may refer to a standalone film or a multi-part miniseries.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is understood in both varieties but is more commonly used in American English within industry contexts. In British English, 'single drama' or 'TV film' might be used for similar concepts.
Connotations
In both varieties, it connotes a production of higher quality or ambition than a typical TV episode, but not necessarily theatrical release quality.
Frequency
Overall low frequency. Slightly higher in American media trade publications.
Grammar
How to Use “telefeature” in a Sentence
The [NETWORK] aired a telefeature about [TOPIC].She starred in the telefeature [TITLE].Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in media industry reports, production deals, and scheduling.
Academic
Used in film and media studies discussing the history and aesthetics of television production.
Everyday
Rarely used; 'TV movie' is the common term.
Technical
Used in television production, broadcasting, and criticism to specify the format.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “telefeature”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “telefeature”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “telefeature”
- Confusing it with a miniseries (a telefeature is typically a single film, though it may be split over two nights).
- Using it as a general term for any film shown on TV.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. A telefeature is a single, feature-length film for TV. A miniseries is a story told over multiple episodes or parts.
Rarely. Its primary intended medium is television, though some high-profile telefeatures might have limited theatrical runs or festival screenings.
The term saw peak usage from the 1970s to 1990s, during the heyday of network TV movies. It is now somewhat dated but still used in industry contexts.
The main difference is the intended medium and often the budget and production schedule. Telefeatures are conceived, financed, and produced for initial television broadcast.
A feature-length film produced specifically for television broadcast.
Telefeature is usually formal/technical in register.
Telefeature: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtɛlɪˌfiːtʃə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtɛləˌfiːtʃər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: TELE(vision) + FEATURE (film) = a feature film made for television.
Conceptual Metaphor
A TELEFEATURE IS A THEATRICAL GUEST IN THE LIVING ROOM (implying it brings cinema-scale production into the domestic space).
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'telefeature' primarily designed for?