tell
Looking for the meaning of tell? Explore definitions, parts of speech, and usage examples below.
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A reflexive, often habitual behavior, especially one occurring in a context that often features attempts at deception by persons under psychological stress (such as a poker game or police interrogation), that reveals information that the person exhibiting the behavior is attempting to withhold.
That which is told; a tale or account.
A private message to an individual in a chat room; a whisper.
(archaic outside of idioms) To count, reckon, or enumerate.
“All told, there were over a dozen. Can you tell time on a clock? He had untold wealth.”
To narrate.
“I want to tell a story; I want to tell you a story.”
To convey by speech; to say.
“Finally, someone told him the truth. He seems to like to tell lies.”
To instruct or inform.
“Please tell me how to do it.”
To order; to direct, to say to someone.
“Tell him to go away.”
To discern, notice, identify or distinguish.
“Can you tell whether those flowers are real or silk, from this distance? No, there's no way to tell.”
To reveal.
“Time will tell what became of him.”
To be revealed.
To have an effect, especially a noticeable one; to be apparent, to be demonstrated.
“Sir Gerald was moving slower; his wounds were beginning to tell.”
To use (beads or similar objects) as an aid to prayer.
To inform someone in authority about a wrongdoing.
“I saw you steal those sweets! I'm going to tell!”
(authorship) To reveal information in prose through outright expository statement -- contrasted with show
“Maria rewrote the section of her novel that talked about Meg and Sage's friendship to have less telling and more showing.”
Understanding "tell"
The word **"tell"** is a **noun** in the English language. It is phonetically pronounced as **/tɛl/**. Explore the detailed meaning, morphological structure, and usage examples for **"tell"** in our dictionary below.
The English language is incredibly vast, and diving into the definition of the word "tell" provides a perfect example of its linguistic depth. Categorized primarily as a noun, the term "tell" holds specific syntactical roles within a sentence, allowing speakers and writers to convey precise meaning. Understanding how this word functions is an excellent step towards mastering advanced English vocabulary and improving overall reading comprehension.
For those looking to perfect their spoken English, noting the phonetic pronunciation of "tell" is crucial. It is typically transcribed as /tɛl/. Proper enunciation ensures that your intended message is received clearly, preventing miscommunication in both formal and casual settings. Linguistic scholars often track the phonological evolution of words like "tell" to understand broader historical shifts in dialects and accents across different English-speaking populations.
When deciding how to use "tell" in everyday communication, it helps to look at exactly how it operates as a noun. In professional writing, academic essays, and creative literature, choosing the perfect vocabulary word can drastically elevate the tone of the text. Because "tell" carries its own unique connotations and denotations, swapping it for a simpler synonym might dilute the impact of your sentence.
Our comprehensive dictionary tool is designed to provide immediate, reliable definitions for thousands of terms, including "tell". By consistently exploring the nuances of vocabulary—including phonetics (/tɛl/), part of speech (noun), and usage examples—you can significantly expand your linguistic repertoire. Bookmark this page as a quick reference tool whenever you encounter "tell" in reading materials or wish to incorporate it into your active vocabulary.
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How do I use tell in a sentence?
Refer to the usage examples above to see how "tell" can be used in academic and casual conversations.