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tell
1[tel]
verb (used with object)
to give an account or narrative of; narrate; relate (a story, tale, etc.).
to tell the story of Lincoln's childhood.
Synonyms: , ,to make known by speech or writing (a fact, news, information, etc.); communicate.
Synonyms:to announce or proclaim.
to utter (the truth, a lie, etc.).
Synonyms:to express in words (thoughts, feelings, etc.).
to reveal or divulge (something secret or private).
Synonyms: , , , , , , , , , , ,to say plainly or positively.
I cannot tell just what was done.
to discern or recognize (a distant person or thing) so as to be able to identify or describe.
Can you tell who that is over there?
to distinguish; discriminate; ascertain.
You could hardly tell the difference between them.
to inform (a person) of something.
He told me his name.
to assure emphatically.
I won't, I tell you!
to bid, order, or command.
Tell him to stop.
to mention one after another, as in enumerating; count or set one by one or in exact amount.
to tell the cattle in a herd;
All told there were 17 if we are correct.
verb (used without object)
to give an account or report.
Tell me about your trip.
to give evidence or be an indication.
The ruined temples told of an ancient culture, long since passed from existence.
to disclose something secret or private; inform; tattle.
She knows who did it, but she won't tell.
to say positively; determine; predict.
Who can tell?
to have force or effect; operate effectively.
a contest in which every stroke tells.
to produce a marked or severe effect.
The strain was telling on his health.
British Dialect.to talk or chat.
verb phrase
to tattle on (someone).
to separate from the whole and assign to a particular duty.
Informalto rebuke severely; scold.
It was about time that someone told him off.
tell
2[tel]
noun
an artificial mound consisting of the accumulated remains of one or more ancient settlements (often used in Egypt and the Middle East as part of a placename).
Tell
3[tel]
noun
Wilhelm William Tell.
tell
1/ ɛ /
verb
(when tr, may take a clause as object) to let know or notify
he told me that he would go
(tr) to order or instruct (someone to do something)
I told her to send the letter airmail
to give an account or narration (of something)
she told me her troubles
(tr) to communicate by words; utter
to tell the truth
(tr) to make known; disclose
to tell fortunes
to serve as an indication
her blush told of her embarrassment
(tr; used with can, etc; may take a clause as object) to comprehend, discover, or discern
I can tell what is wrong
(tr; used with can, etc) to distinguish or discriminate
he couldn't tell chalk from cheese
(intr) to have or produce an impact, effect, or strain
every step told on his bruised feet
informalto reveal secrets or gossip (about)
don't tell!
she told on him
(tr) to assure
I tell you, I've had enough!
(tr) to count (votes)
dialect(intr) to talk or chatter
informalto tell the truth no matter how unpleasant it is
to read the time from a clock
slangI know that very well
Tell
2/ ɛ /
noun
William, German name Wilhelm Tell. a legendary Swiss patriot, who, traditionally, lived in the early 14th century and was compelled by an Austrian governor to shoot an apple from his son's head with one shot of his crossbow. He did so without mishap
tell
3/ ɛ /
noun
a large mound resulting from the accumulation of rubbish on a long-settled site, esp one with mudbrick buildings, particularly in the Middle East
Other 51Թ Forms
- ˈٱ adjective
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of tell1
Origin of tell2
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of tell1
Origin of tell2
Idioms and Phrases
tell it like it is, to tell the complete, unadulterated truth; be forthright.
He may be crude but he tells it like it is.
Example Sentences
Morgan told Sunday's BBC Politics Wales "underpinning the economic future of Wales, that's what I'm interested in because I don't want to continue to go cap in hand" to Westminster.
"What I mean by that is the next three to four years," she told Holyrood's economy and fair work committee.
Those already in Israel or the Occupied Territories have been told to follow the advice of local authorities.
Lord Browne, who now chairs BeyondNetZero, a fund investing in carbon transition technologies, told Laura Kuenssberg some of the government's plans were "too bullish" and would take more time than planned.
People will tell him that it’s hard to sell a TV show, or that they don’t know if their job will be around in two weeks.
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Related 51Թs
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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