Slangora

Teletext

(UK, Ireland) A text-based information retrieval system using television sets with a suitable decoder; developed by the BBC.

/tˈɛlʌtɛkst/Current163 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
🗺️ Regional & Other
1 definition
Community
Seen in the wild
5 citations · last seen May 2026

Seen in the wild

Definitions

#1·Apr 27, 2026

(UK, Ireland) A text-based information retrieval system using television sets with a suitable decoder; developed by the BBC.

For parents

"Teletext" means: A text-based information retrieval system using television sets with a suitable decoder; developed by the BBC.. This is a fairly neutral word with no inherent risk attached. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than something dangerous. If your child uses it, context will usually make the meaning clear. A brief, curious question about where they heard it is generally enough to know whether to follow up.

For ESL learners

"Teletext" means: A text-based information retrieval system using television sets with a suitable decoder; developed by the BBC.. Register: neutral, standard English, usable in most everyday contexts. Note the regional or dialect label (UK) — usage may sound odd outside that variety. A common non-native mistake is to use the word in the wrong register, or to assume one fixed meaning when it is actually polysemous; always check the surrounding register and the audience before producing it yourself. In formal writing, prefer a neutral synonym or a short descriptive phrase, and use this word only when you have heard or read it being used naturally in a comparable context.

Heard in the wild
  • “🟡 Update from The Teletext Archive BBC2 from Friday 6th May 1988 📺 More at https://tvpres.com”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “🟡 Update from The Teletext Archive Central from Sunday 6th May 1990 📺 More at https://tvpres.com”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “I think 4-Tel and the regional magazines weren’t up and running for weeks afterwards. Anyone relying on it for PDC teletext VHS were screwed. Yes, and editorially I think Teletext UK Ltd put the main news on to C4 which was unpopular. Eventually Bamber saved them :)”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “I’ve childishly been refreshing my feed and going on NewsNow to see if there’s any developments even though we’ve only had new owners 5 minutes. The modern day equivalent of going on Teletext/ Ceefax for updates. Feel like a kid again! Good times!! #swfc”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
  • “(for full clarity, I'm not saying I was *good* at it - I have a face for radio and voice for Teletext - but I could at least read one and half listen to the other. "Blue Peter" style craft segments are my Kryptonite though.)”

    — Bluesky· May 2026
Was this helpful?

Comments

For specific readers

"Teletext" means: A text-based information retrieval system using television sets with a suitable decoder; developed by the BBC.. This is a fairly neutral word with no inherent risk attached. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than something dangerous. If your child uses it, context will usually make the meaning clear. A brief, curious question about where they heard it is generally enough to know whether to follow up.

Why is this section here?

Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.

Have a better definition?

Add your own interpretation of "Teletext".

Add definition

🗺️About Regional & Other slang

Regional slang from around the English-speaking world — British, Australian, Irish, Caribbean, Nigerian, Filipino, AAVE, and the hyphenated-English dialects that make the internet sound local.

See all Regional & Other slang on Slangora.

Tags

Other words near "Teletext" (T)

Browse all slang words starting with T.

Related terms

People also read

Semantically related