tell

1 of 3

verb

ˈtel

told ˈtōld How to pronounce tell (audio)

; telling

transitive verb

: to relate in detail : narrate

told the whole story to us

: to give utterance to : say

could never tell a lie

: to make known : divulge, reveal

don't tell your password

: to express in words

she never told her love—

William Shakespeare

: to give information to : inform

tell us about your job

: to assure emphatically

they did not do it, I tell you

: order, direct

told me to wait

: to find out by observing : recognize

you can tell it's a masterpiece

: count, enumerate

tell the stars, if thou be able to number them—

Genesis 15:5 (King James Version)

intransitive verb

: to give an account

an article telling of her experience

: to tell someone (such as a parent or other person of authority) about what someone else has done

—often used with on

I'll get even with you if you ever tell on me—

Inside Detective

: to serve as evidence or indication

: to have a marked effect

the pressure was beginning to tell on him

tell

2 of 3

noun (1)

ˈtel

plural tells

: an inadvertent behavior or mannerism that betrays a poker player's true thoughts, intentions, or emotions

The World Series of Poker: earth's greatest liars gathered together with millions of dollars on the line … . It's a blur of action, but the educated spectator ignores these distractions and focuses on the players' mannerisms—it's all part of the science of tells, reflexes a player can't control that, read right, give away his thoughts.—

Seth Stevenson

: a revealing gesture, expression, etc., that is likened to a poker player's tell

But his eyes darted fractionally to one side as he said it …; the classic liar's tell.—

Stephen King

broadly : sign, indication

I talked to staffers who said that their bosses had two or three flights booked getting out of town, a big tell that there was not going to be a deal. —

Kelly O'Donnell

tell

3 of 3

noun (2)

: hill, mound

specifically : an ancient mound in the Middle East composed of remains of successive settlements

Example Sentences

Verb He told us the story. Has she told you the good news, yet? Please tell us your name and occupation. She looked at the palm of my hand and told me my fortune. If you see her, tell her hello for me. “I feel sick,” he told his mom. “What is his name?” “I don't know. He didn't tell me.” “Who is the letter from?” “I'm not telling.” I promise not to tell anyone. I can't tell you because it's a secret. See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Barry Evans, a fourth-generation cotton farmer near Lubbock, Texas, doesn’t need a scientific report to tell him that. —

Coral Davenport, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Feb. 2023 But what the agency didn’t tell the public is that Marks and other officials circumvented the lottery. —

oregonlive, 17 Feb. 2023 Dublin poet Laureate James Morehouse joins hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight to draft their nine favorite music venues in San Francisco, and tell stories about some of their favorite concerts in the city. —

Total Sf Podcast, San Francisco Chronicle, 17 Feb. 2023 These maps tell the story State appeals Judge Larry Thompson nixed Perry's injunction in early August, and the issue was then kicked to the Supreme Court. —

Morgan Watkins, The Courier-Journal, 16 Feb. 2023 The result, as Legion folks tell it, should be rugby that’s more varied in style. —

San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Feb. 2023 Most derms will tell you to avoid anything with fragrance. —

Lisa Desantis, Glamour, 16 Feb. 2023 Only time will tell. Claire & Jesse View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jesse (@jesse_burford) Claire and Jesse have been one of the most talked about couples this season. —

Alicia Vrajlal, refinery29.com, 16 Feb. 2023 Any avid traveler will tell you that footwear can make or break a vacation. —

Kristine Thomason, Travel + Leisure, 15 Feb. 2023 See More

Kids Definition

tell

verb

ˈtel

told

ˈtōld

; telling

: count entry 1 sense 1a, enumerate

: to describe in detail : narrate

tell a story

: to give an account

an article telling of her experience

: say entry 1 sense 1a, utter

tell a lie

: to make known : reveal

tell a secret

: to express in words

can't tell you how pleased we are

: to give information to : inform

tell me as soon as the package gets here

: order entry 1 sense 2a, direct

told us to wait

: to find out by observing

can tell the child is honest

: to act as a tattletale

tell on a cheater

: to have a noticeable effect

the pressure began to tell on them

: to be evidence of : indicate

smiles telling of success

tells

verb

present tense third-person singular of tell

as in describes

to give an oral or written account of in some detail they told the story of how they had met

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

describes
recounts
chronicles
narrates
relates
reports
recites
depicts
details
sets forth
reveals
rehearses
charts
states
voices
discloses
divulges
expresses
utters
gives
exposes
enumerates
itemizes
delivers
particularizes
bares
delineates
renders
reels off
sketches
lets on (about)

as in says

to express (a thought or emotion) in words just tell us what is in your heart

Synonyms & Similar Words

says
speaks
talks
utters
discusses
shares
states
announces
articulates
gives
verbalizes
shouts
publishes
declares
vocalizes
enunciates
brings out
proclaims
whispers
puts
affirms
passes
voices
looks
asserts
advertises
puts into words
blurts
posts
alleges
sounds
publicizes
airs
promulgates
avers
formulates
avows
breathes
ventilates
words
chirps
broadcasts
murmurs
blabbers
gets off
comments
gasps
remarks
drawls
vents
phrases
spouts
blazes
mouths
purrs
shoots
snarls
lips
bolts
formulizes
clothes
splutters
avouches
couches
pipes up (with)
rips (out)

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

suppresses
stifles

as in counts

to find the sum of (a collection of things) by noting each one as it is being added who can tell the number of grains of sand in the world?

Synonyms & Similar Words

counts
computes
enumerates
calculates
numbers
checks
recounts
tabulates
tallies
reckons
tables
adds (up)
marks
totals
ticks (off)

as in informs

to give information to tell me, when did you begin playing the violin?

Synonyms & Similar Words

informs
advises
instructs
teaches
briefs
notifies
educates
apprises
enlightens
familiarizes
acquaints
verses
clears
alerts
convinces
fills in
reassures
assures
catches up
hips
advertises
lets someone know
clues (in)
wises (up)
lectures
keeps (someone) posted
certifies
warrants
schools
discloses (to)
announces (to)
tutors
disillusions
disabuses
disenchants
undeceives

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

misleads
misinforms

as in instructs

to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority told us to sit still and wait

Synonyms & Similar Words

instructs
asks
orders
commands
begs
warns
advises
directs
enjoins
bids
adjures
requires
appoints
charges
beseeches
requests
entreats
compels
petitions
authorizes
bosses (around)
assigns
forces
obliges
counsels
supervises
manages
leads
coerces
controls
oversees
commissions
constrains
conducts
superintends

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

follows
minds
observes
obeys
keeps
complies (with)

as in reveals

to make known (as information previously kept secret) I won't tell your secret to anyone

Synonyms & Similar Words

reveals
discloses
discovers
uncovers
announces
exposes
divulges
shares
unveils
unmasks
spills
bares
confides
proclaims
publishes
informs
acknowledges
leaks
advertises
declares
brings to light
confesses
lets on (about)
unbosoms
lets the cat out of the bag (about)
uncloaks
spills the beans (about)
debunks
betrays
goes public (with)
admits
relates
promulgates
unearths
imparts
publicizes
owns
communicates
concedes
posts
brings out
blabs
shows up
talks
broadcasts
sounds
avows
gives away
unclothes
placards
blazes
undrapes
squeals
smokes out
disinters
rakes up

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

covers (up)
conceals
hides
masks
enshrouds
camouflages
cloaks
disguises
shrouds
veils
obscures
whitewashes
gilds
glosses (over)
overshadows
darkens
eclipses
varnishes
beclouds
shades
clouds
overcasts
befogs
bedims

单词	tells
释义	tell 1 of 3 verb ˈtel told ˈtōld ; telling transitive verb 1 a : to relate in detail : narrate told the whole story to us b : to give utterance to : say could never tell a lie 2 a : to make known : divulge, reveal don't tell your password b : to express in words she never told her love—William Shakespeare 3 a : to give information to : inform tell us about your job b : to assure emphatically they did not do it, I tell you 4 : order, direct told me to wait 5 : to find out by observing : recognize you can tell it's a masterpiece 6 : count, enumerate tell the stars, if thou be able to number them—Genesis 15:5 (King James Version) intransitive verb 1 : to give an account an article telling of her experience 2 : to tell someone (such as a parent or other person of authority) about what someone else has done —often used with on I'll get even with you if you ever tell on me—Inside Detective 3 : to serve as evidence or indication 4 : to have a marked effect the pressure was beginning to tell on him tell 2 of 3 noun (1) ˈtel plural tells 1 : an inadvertent behavior or mannerism that betrays a poker player's true thoughts, intentions, or emotions The World Series of Poker: earth's greatest liars gathered together with millions of dollars on the line … . It's a blur of action, but the educated spectator ignores these distractions and focuses on the players' mannerisms—it's all part of the science of tells, reflexes a player can't control that, read right, give away his thoughts.—Seth Stevenson 2 : a revealing gesture, expression, etc., that is likened to a poker player's tell But his eyes darted fractionally to one side as he said it …; the classic liar's tell.—Stephen King broadly : sign, indication I talked to staffers who said that their bosses had two or three flights booked getting out of town, a big tell that there was not going to be a deal. —Kelly O'Donnell tell 3 of 3 noun (2) : hill, mound specifically : an ancient mound in the Middle East composed of remains of successive settlements Synonyms Verb chart chronicle describe narrate recite recount rehearse relate report See all Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Verb He told us the story. Has she told you the good news, yet? Please tell us your name and occupation. She looked at the palm of my hand and told me my fortune. If you see her, tell her hello for me. “I feel sick,” he told his mom. “What is his name?” “I don't know. He didn't tell me.” “Who is the letter from?” “I'm not telling.” I promise not to tell anyone. I can't tell you because it's a secret. See More Recent Examples on the Web Verb Barry Evans, a fourth-generation cotton farmer near Lubbock, Texas, doesn’t need a scientific report to tell him that. —Coral Davenport, BostonGlobe.com, 18 Feb. 2023 But what the agency didn’t tell the public is that Marks and other officials circumvented the lottery. —oregonlive, 17 Feb. 2023 Dublin poet Laureate James Morehouse joins hosts Peter Hartlaub and Heather Knight to draft their nine favorite music venues in San Francisco, and tell stories about some of their favorite concerts in the city. —Total Sf Podcast, San Francisco Chronicle, 17 Feb. 2023 These maps tell the story State appeals Judge Larry Thompson nixed Perry's injunction in early August, and the issue was then kicked to the Supreme Court. —Morgan Watkins, The Courier-Journal, 16 Feb. 2023 The result, as Legion folks tell it, should be rugby that’s more varied in style. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Feb. 2023 Most derms will tell you to avoid anything with fragrance. —Lisa Desantis, Glamour, 16 Feb. 2023 Only time will tell. Claire & Jesse View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jesse (@jesse_burford) Claire and Jesse have been one of the most talked about couples this season. —Alicia Vrajlal, refinery29.com, 16 Feb. 2023 Any avid traveler will tell you that footwear can make or break a vacation. —Kristine Thomason, Travel + Leisure, 15 Feb. 2023 See More Word History Etymology Verb Middle English, from Old English tellan; akin to Old High German zellen to count, tell, Old English talu tale Noun (2) Arabic tall First Known Use Verb before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 6 Noun (1) 1974, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Noun (2) 1840, in the meaning defined above Phrases Containing tell as far/near as I can tell can't begin to tell you as/so far as one can see/tell/judge (as) near as someone can tell/figure dead men tell no tales don't tell me I can't tell you (I/I'll) tell you what kiss-and-tell I tell a lie (only) time will tell show-and-tell pray tell tell-all tell it like it is tell apart tell of tell off tell on tell right from wrong tell someone where to get off tell the difference tell the time tell the whole world to tell the truth to tell (you) the truth what did I tell you who can tell tell me tell against tell time I couldn't tell you tell me about it tell a different story See More as far/near as I can tell can't begin to tell you as/so far as one can see/tell/judge (as) near as someone can tell/figure dead men tell no tales don't tell me I can't tell you (I/I'll) tell you what kiss-and-tell I tell a lie (only) time will tell show-and-tell pray tell tell-all tell it like it is tell apart tell of tell off tell on tell right from wrong tell someone where to get off tell the difference tell the time tell the whole world to tell the truth to tell (you) the truth what did I tell you who can tell tell me tell against tell time I couldn't tell you tell me about it tell a different story See More Kids Definition tell verb ˈtel told ˈtōld ; telling 1 : count entry 1 sense 1a, enumerate 2 a : to describe in detail : narrate tell a story b : to give an account an article telling of her experience c : say entry 1 sense 1a, utter tell a lie 3 a : to make known : reveal tell a secret b : to express in words can't tell you how pleased we are 4 : to give information to : inform tell me as soon as the package gets here 5 : order entry 1 sense 2a, direct told us to wait 6 : to find out by observing can tell the child is honest 7 : to act as a tattletale tell on a cheater 8 : to have a noticeable effect the pressure began to tell on them 9 : to be evidence of : indicate smiles telling of success tells verb present tense third-person singular of tell 1 as in describes to give an oral or written account of in some detail they told the story of how they had met Synonyms & Similar Words Relevance describes recounts chronicles narrates relates reports recites depicts details sets forth reveals rehearses charts states voices discloses divulges expresses utters gives exposes enumerates itemizes delivers particularizes bares delineates renders reels off sketches lets on (about) 2 as in says to express (a thought or emotion) in words just tell us what is in your heart Synonyms & Similar Words says speaks talks utters discusses shares states announces articulates gives verbalizes shouts publishes declares vocalizes enunciates brings out proclaims whispers puts affirms passes voices looks asserts advertises puts into words blurts posts alleges sounds publicizes airs promulgates avers formulates avows breathes ventilates words chirps broadcasts murmurs blabbers gets off comments gasps remarks drawls vents phrases spouts blazes mouths purrs shoots snarls lips bolts formulizes clothes splutters avouches couches pipes up (with) rips (out) Antonyms & Near Antonyms suppresses stifles 3 as in counts to find the sum of (a collection of things) by noting each one as it is being added who can tell the number of grains of sand in the world? Synonyms & Similar Words counts computes enumerates calculates numbers checks recounts tabulates tallies reckons tables adds (up) marks totals ticks (off) 4 as in informs to give information to tell me, when did you begin playing the violin? Synonyms & Similar Words informs advises instructs teaches briefs notifies educates apprises enlightens familiarizes acquaints verses clears alerts convinces fills in reassures assures catches up hips advertises lets someone know clues (in) wises (up) lectures keeps (someone) posted certifies warrants schools discloses (to) announces (to) tutors disillusions disabuses disenchants undeceives Antonyms & Near Antonyms misleads misinforms 5 as in instructs to issue orders to (someone) by right of authority told us to sit still and wait Synonyms & Similar Words instructs asks orders commands begs warns advises directs enjoins bids adjures requires appoints charges beseeches requests entreats compels petitions authorizes bosses (around) assigns forces obliges counsels supervises manages leads coerces controls oversees commissions constrains conducts superintends Antonyms & Near Antonyms follows minds observes obeys keeps complies (with) 6 as in reveals to make known (as information previously kept secret) I won't tell your secret to anyone Synonyms & Similar Words reveals discloses discovers uncovers announces exposes divulges shares unveils unmasks spills bares confides proclaims publishes informs acknowledges leaks advertises declares brings to light confesses lets on (about) unbosoms lets the cat out of the bag (about) uncloaks spills the beans (about) debunks betrays goes public (with) admits relates promulgates unearths imparts publicizes owns communicates concedes posts brings out blabs shows up talks broadcasts sounds avows gives away unclothes placards blazes undrapes squeals smokes out disinters rakes up Antonyms & Near Antonyms covers (up) conceals hides masks enshrouds camouflages cloaks disguises shrouds veils obscures whitewashes gilds glosses (over) overshadows darkens eclipses varnishes beclouds shades clouds overcasts befogs bedims See More
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tell

verb

noun (1)

noun (2)

Synonyms

Example Sentences

Word History

Phrases Containing tell

Kids Definition

verb