telex: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal/Historical
Quick answer
What does “telex” mean?
A telecommunications system for transmitting typed messages over long distances using teleprinters.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A telecommunications system for transmitting typed messages over long distances using teleprinters.
Refers to a message sent via this system, or more broadly to historical or outdated communication methods in business and diplomacy.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage; both varieties use the term similarly in technical and historical contexts.
Connotations
Associated with old-fashioned, reliable, but now outdated communication technology.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both regions due to replacement by modern technologies like email and fax.
Grammar
How to Use “telex” in a Sentence
send a telex to someonereceive a telex from someonetelex a messageVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “telex” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We telexed the confirmation to our London office yesterday.
- She telexed the report before the deadline.
American English
- They telexed the contract details overnight.
- The company telexed urgent instructions to all branches.
adverb
British English
- Messages were sent telex-style for accuracy.
- They communicated telex-fast in emergencies.
American English
- Data was transmitted telex-quick across continents.
- He replied telex-promptly to the inquiry.
adjective
British English
- The telex system was revolutionary in its time.
- We used a telex-based network for international calls.
American English
- Telex communication required dedicated lines.
- The office had a telex machine in the corner.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used historically for official, urgent communications between companies or governments.
Academic
Mentioned in studies of telecommunications history or 20th-century technology.
Everyday
Rarely used in casual conversation; typically only in nostalgic or historical discussions.
Technical
Referenced in contexts discussing obsolete communication systems or teleprinter technology.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “telex”
- Using 'telex' as a verb without object (e.g., 'I telexed' instead of 'I telexed the message'), or confusing it with modern terms like 'email'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Telex is a telecommunications system that uses teleprinters to send and receive typed messages over telegraph or telephone lines, popular in the mid-20th century.
No, telex has been largely phased out and replaced by more modern technologies such as fax, email, and instant messaging, though it may still be used in niche or legacy systems.
Yes, 'to telex' means to send a message using the telex system, e.g., 'They telexed the order to the supplier.'
Telex allows for direct, real-time typing and reception on teleprinters at both ends, while telegrams are typically messages sent over telegraph lines and delivered as written or printed copies, often with delays.
A telecommunications system for transmitting typed messages over long distances using teleprinters.
Telex is usually formal/historical in register.
Telex: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtel.ɛks/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtel.ɛks/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'telex' as 'tell ex' – telling something extra fast over a distance with machines.
Conceptual Metaphor
Telex as a metaphor for outdated but once-essential technology, symbolizing reliability and speed in a pre-digital era.
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary function of a telex system?