tell

1 of 3

verb

ˈtel

told ˈtōld

; telling

Synonyms of tell next

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

Choose the Right Synonym for tell

reveal, disclose, divulge, tell, betray mean to make known what has been or should be concealed.

reveal may apply to supernatural or inspired revelation of truths beyond the range of ordinary human vision or reason.

divine will as revealed in sacred writings

disclose may imply a discovering but more often an imparting of information previously kept secret.

candidates must disclose their financial assets

divulge implies a disclosure involving some impropriety or breach of confidence.

refused to divulge an anonymous source

tell implies an imparting of necessary or useful information.

told them what he had overheard

betray implies a divulging that represents a breach of faith or an involuntary or unconscious disclosure.

a blush that betrayed her embarrassment

Examples of tell in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Verb

Catherine tells the story of her rape as a trauma survivor does, doing her best to conjure the dark collage of sensory details imprinted on her memory. —

Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 8 Nov. 2024 As Milton approached, Phillips told residents to remember his Rule #7: Don’t freak out. —

Discover Magazine, 8 Nov. 2024 Smith told Bay Area News Group last month that Wicks’ policies have failed to create the housing needed in Assembly District 14 for low-income residents. —

Chase Hunter, The Mercury News, 7 Nov. 2024 The driver of the other car, Ian Loi Bursey, told police that the Corolla’s driver had cut him off. —

Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 7 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for tell

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

Time Traveler

The first known use of tell was before the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Phrases Containing tell

Cite this Entry

Style

“Tell.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/tell. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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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

Last Updated: 12 Nov 2024 - Updated example sentences

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tell

verb

noun (1)

noun (2)

Synonyms

Examples of tell in a Sentence

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near tell

Cite this Entry

Kids Definition