What Does “Telly” Mean

Telly is an informal word for television. People use it mainly in British English to mean the TV set or TV in general.

In everyday conversation, someone might say “Let’s watch it on the telly” instead of “Let’s watch it on the television.” It sounds casual, friendly, and natural, especially in spoken English.

Meaning & Usage

Telly is a short, informal way to say television. It is common in the UK and less common in American English.

Examples

“I was watching the telly last night.”
“Turn the telly on, please.”
“There’s nothing good on the telly today.”

Is “telly” a formal word?

No. It is informal and mainly used in casual speech.

Where is “telly” most common?

It is most common in British English.

Can “telly” mean anything else?

Usually, it simply means television or the TV set.