Definition & Meaning of "telicity"

What is "telicity"?

Telicity is a linguistic concept that refers to the inherent property of a verb or action to indicate whether it has a defined endpoint or goal. An action is considered telic if it has a clear completion point, while it is considered atelic if it does not. For example, in the sentence "She built a sandcastle," the verb "built" is telic because it implies a completed action with a specific endpoint, which is the finished sandcastle. In contrast, in the sentence "She is running," the verb "running" is atelic because it describes an ongoing action without a specified endpoint. Understanding telicity helps clarify the nature of actions in language, particularly in relation to time and aspect.