telegraphic

Everyday

1. Telegraphic means to do with the telegraph, the old machine that sent messages along wires as electric signals. tree →
2. Telegraphic speech or writing is very short and leaves out little words, like an old telegram: "Arrive Monday stop." tree →

In the lessons

In history lessons it describes old telegraph messages. In English lessons and in talk about how babies learn to speak, telegraphic speech means short sentences without little words ("Daddy go car"). Phrases: telegraphic message, telegraphic style, telegraphic speech.

Examples

• In the 1800s, telegraphic messages crossed oceans along cables under the sea. tree →
• His notes were telegraphic: "Lunch. Park. Rain. Home." tree →
• Toddlers use telegraphic speech, like "Me want juice." tree →
• The old station still has a telegraphic office. tree →
• Text messages can sound telegraphic because people leave out words. tree →
• The teacher said my story summary was too telegraphic and needed full sentences. tree →

Note

Fairly formal. Related: telegraph (the machine and the system), telegram (one message sent by telegraph). Telegraphic style is fine for notes but not for a written answer in a test.