telegraphic
tel-uh-GRAF-ik
/ˌtel.əˈɡræf.ɪk/
clipped, highly condensed, and omitting non-essential words like articles or prepositions.
Refers to a style of writing or speech that mimics telegram messages where speed and cost savings override formal grammar.
The story behind the word. Born in the 19th century alongside the electric telegraph. Because customers were charged by the individual word for telegrams sent across wires, people created a clipped code that deleted prepositions, articles, and filler words to save money.
Word relationships
- clipped: Clipped describes clipped speech sounds or brief phrases; telegraphic specifically refers to omitting grammatical connector words.
- elliptical: Elliptical style leaves out elements expecting the reader to infer them; telegraphic strips words purely for speed and economy.
- flowery: Flowery language is heavily ornate and decorative.
- elaborate: Elaborate writing includes full, complex grammatical structures and details.
Commonly confused with
- telegraph: Telegraph is the noun/verb for the communication device; telegraphic is the adjective describing clipped writing style.
Word family
- telegraph (noun): a system for transmitting messages along a wire
- telegraphically (adverb): in a clipped, telegraphic manner
Collocations
- telegraphic style
- telegraphic sentence
- telegraphic message
- telegraphic prose
Example sentences
- "Hemingway’s early news cables were written in a sharp, telegraphic style that shaped his minimalist prose." Literary analysis
- "The field agent dispatched a series of telegraphic notes: 'Target arrived. Package secured. Await instructions.'" Emergency communication
Memory hook
TELEGRAPHIC style writes like a TELEGRAM — short, fast, and skipping every extra word. Pay per word, so cut the fluff.
When not to use
Do not use to describe elegant or poetic conciseness; telegraphic style sounds skeletal and choppy.
Fun facts
- The most famous telegraphic message was sent by Oscar Wilde to his publisher asking how his book sold: '?'. The publisher replied: '!'.
Related words
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