tell

A1
Pronunciation
/tɛl/
/tɛl/
Noun
4 definition(s)
1 Definition

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.

2 Definition

That which is told; a tale or account.

3 Definition

A private message to an individual in a chat room; a whisper.

4 Definition

A hill or mound, originally and especially in the Middle East, over or consisting of the ruins of ancient settlements.

Verb
12 definition(s)
1 Definition

(archaic outside of idioms) To count, reckon, or enumerate.

Example Sentences
  • All told, there were over a dozen.  Can you tell time on a clock?  He had untold wealth.
2 Definition

To narrate.

Example Sentences
  • I want to tell a story;  I want to tell you a story.
3 Definition

To convey by speech; to say.

Example Sentences
  • Finally, someone told him the truth.  He seems to like to tell lies.
4 Definition

To instruct or inform.

Example Sentences
  • Please tell me how to do it.
5 Definition

To order; to direct, to say to someone.

Example Sentences
  • Tell him to go away.
6 Definition

To discern, notice, identify or distinguish.

Example Sentences
  • Can you tell whether those flowers are real or silk, from this distance?  No, there's no way to tell.
7 Definition

To reveal.

Example Sentences
  • Time will tell what became of him.
8 Definition

To be revealed.

9 Definition

To have an effect, especially a noticeable one; to be apparent, to be demonstrated.

Example Sentences
  • Sir Gerald was moving slower; his wounds were beginning to tell.
10 Definition

To use (beads or similar objects) as an aid to prayer.

11 Definition

To inform someone in authority about a wrongdoing.

Example Sentences
  • I saw you steal those sweets! I'm going to tell!
12 Definition

(authorship) To reveal information in prose through outright expository statement -- contrasted with show

Example Sentences
  • Maria rewrote the section of her novel that talked about Meg and Sage's friendship to have less telling and more showing.