The telling of a story or of something that has happened is the reporting of it to other people.
Herbert sat quietly through the telling of this saga. [+ of]
These stories grow in the telling.
2. adjective
If something is telling, it shows the true nature of a person or situation.
It was her expression that was the most telling.
How a man shaves may be a telling clue to his age.
Synonyms: effective, significant, considerable, marked More Synonyms of telling
tellinglyadverb [ADVERB with verb]
The house received nearly 300 'customers' a year, as he tellingly called them.
3. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
A telling argument or criticism is a very effective one.
He spoke reasonably, carefully, and with telling effect.
The most telling condemnation of the system was that it failed to fulfil its function.
4.
See there's no telling
telling in British English
(ˈtɛlɪŋ)
adjective
1.
having a marked effect or impact
a telling blow
2.
revealing
a telling smile
Derived forms
tellingly (ˈtellingly)
adverb
telling in American English
(ˈtɛlɪŋ)
adjective
1.
having an effect; forceful; striking
a telling retort
2.
that tells or reveals much
SIMILAR WORDS: ˈvalid
Derived forms
tellingly (ˈtellingly)
adverb
Examples of 'telling' in a sentence
telling
It would take a lot more than your word to send us back to London telling our people not to worry.
Robert Wilson THE COMPANY OF STRANGERS (2002)
Now, hang on, I bet you're Frau Penck, the treasure old Budgie was telling me about.
Anthony Masters CASCADES - THE DAY OF THE DEAD (2002)
At first, when their cops out there started telling me things, I didn't want to know.
Jon Cleary YESTERDAY'S SHADOW (2002)
Right now, her gut was telling her any more time focusing on Gordon was wasted.
Karin Slaughter BLINDSIGHTED (2002)
In other languages
telling
British English: telling NOUN
The telling of a story or of something that has happened is the reporting of it to other people.
He sat quietly through the telling of this saga.
American English: telling
Brazilian Portuguese: narrativa
Chinese: 讲述
European Spanish: narración
French: récit
German: Erzählen
Italian: racconto
Japanese: 話すこと
Korean: 이야기하기
European Portuguese: narrativa
Latin American Spanish: narración
All related terms of 'telling'
tauld
to let know ; notify
tell
If you tell someone something, you give them information.
outtell
to make (something) known
telling-off
If you give someone a telling-off , you tell them that you are very angry with them about something they have done .
there's no telling
You use there's no telling to introduce a statement when you want to say that it is impossible to know what will happen in a situation .
you're telling me
I know that very well
tell on
If you tell on someone, you give information about them to a person in authority , especially if they have done something wrong .
tell off
If you tell someone off , you speak to them angrily or seriously because they have done something wrong .
storytelling
Storytelling is the activity of telling or writing stories .
tell apart
If you can tell people or things apart , you are able to recognize the differences between them and can therefore identify each of them.
fortuneteller
a person who professes to foretell events , esp. events in other people's lives
tell against
If a feature or characteristic tells against someone, it spoils their chance of success when they are being considered for something, for example a job.
I don't mind telling you
You can say ' I don't mind telling you ' to emphasize the statement you are making.
fortune-teller
A fortune-teller is a person who tells you what they think will happen to you in the future, after looking at something such as the lines on your hand .
(adjective)
Definition
having a marked effect or impact
Someone's attitude to wait staff is a telling clue to their personality.
Synonyms
effective
You can't make an effective argument if all you do is stridently voice your opinion.
significant
It is the first drug that seems to have a significant effect on this disease.
considerable
They were very considerable people who made an enormous contribution to the Party.
marked
There has been a marked increase in crimes against property.
striking
powerful
a powerful drama about a corrupt city leader
solid
impressive
The film's special effects are particularly impressive.
influential
one of the most influential books ever written
decisive
Firm decisive action will be taken to end the incident.
potent
a potent electoral message
forceful
This is a forceful argument for joining them.
weighty
Surely such weighty matters merit a higher level of debate?
forcible
He is a forcible advocate for the arts.
trenchant
His comment was trenchant and perceptive.
effectual
the most effectual means of preserving peace
Opposites
minor
,
slight
,
trivial
,
insignificant
,
lightweight
,
negligible
,
unimportant
,
ineffectual
,
inconsequential
,
indecisive
,
easily ignored
Additional synonyms
in the sense of considerable
They were very considerable people who made an enormous contribution to the Party.
Synonyms
important,
significant,
distinguished,
influential,
notable,
renowned,
venerable,
noteworthy
in the sense of decisive
Definition
having the ability to make quick decisions
Firm decisive action will be taken to end the incident.
Synonyms
resolute,
decided,
firm,
determined,
forceful,
uncompromising,
incisive,
trenchant,
strong-minded
in the sense of effectual
Definition
producing the intended result
the most effectual means of preserving peace
Synonyms
effective,
successful,
efficient,
powerful,
useful,
helpful,
productive,
potent,
constructive,
telling,
fruitful,
advantageous,
forcible,
serviceable,
efficacious
Nearby words of
telling
tell on someone
tell someone off
tell something apart
telling
telling-off
telltale
temerity
Related terms of
telling
tell
telling-off
tell on someone
tell someone off
tell something apart
Synonyms of 'telling'
telling
Explore 'telling' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of forceful
Definition
effective
This is a forceful argument for joining them.
Synonyms
powerful,
strong,
convincing,
effective,
compelling,
persuasive,
weighty,
pithy,
cogent,
telling
in the sense of forcible
Definition
convincing or effective
He is a forcible advocate for the arts.
Synonyms
compelling,
strong,
powerful,
effective,
active,
impressive,
efficient,
valid,
mighty,
potent,
energetic,
forceful,
weighty,
cogent
in the sense of impressive
Definition
capable of impressing, esp. by size, magnificence, or importance
The film's special effects are particularly impressive.
Synonyms
grand,
striking,
splendid,
good,
great (informal),
fine,
affecting,
powerful,
exciting,
wonderful,
excellent,
dramatic,
outstanding,
stirring,
superb,
first-class,
marvellous (informal),
terrific (informal),
awesome,
world-class,
admirable,
first-rate,
crash-hot (Australian),
forcible,
gee-whizz (slang)
in the sense of influential
Definition
having or exerting influence
one of the most influential books ever written
Synonyms
important,
powerful,
moving,
telling,
leading,
strong,
guiding,
inspiring,
prestigious,
meaningful,
potent,
persuasive,
authoritative,
momentous,
weighty
in the sense of marked
Definition
obvious or noticeable
There has been a marked increase in crimes against property.
Synonyms
noticeable,
clear,
decided,
striking,
noted,
obvious,
signal,
dramatic,
considerable,
outstanding,
remarkable,
apparent,
prominent,
patent,
evident,
distinct,
pronounced,
notable,
manifest,
blatant,
conspicuous,
salient
in the sense of potent
Definition
(of arguments) persuasive or forceful
a potent electoral message
Synonyms
persuasive,
telling,
convincing,
effective,
impressive,
compelling,
forceful,
cogent
in the sense of powerful
a powerful drama about a corrupt city leader
Synonyms
persuasive,
convincing,
effective,
telling,
moving,
striking,
storming,
dramatic,
impressive,
compelling,
authoritative,
forceful,
weighty,
forcible,
cogent,
effectual
in the sense of significant
Definition
very important
It is the first drug that seems to have a significant effect on this disease.
Synonyms
important,
marked,
notable,
striking,
serious,
material,
vital,
critical,
considerable,
impressive,
pronounced,
conspicuous,
momentous,
weighty,
noteworthy
in the sense of trenchant
Definition
vigorous and effective
His comment was trenchant and perceptive.
Synonyms
clear,
driving,
strong,
powerful,
effective,
distinct,
crisp,
explicit,
vigorous,
potent,
energetic,
clear-cut,
forceful,
emphatic,
unequivocal,
salient,
well-defined,
effectual,
distinctly defined
in the sense of weighty
Definition
important or serious
Surely such weighty matters merit a higher level of debate?
Synonyms
important,
serious,
significant,
critical,
crucial,
considerable,
substantial,
grave,
solemn,
momentous,
forcible,
consequential,
portentous
All related terms of 'telling'
tell
inform, notify, make aware, say to, state to
telling-off
reprimand, talking-to, row, criticism, lecture
tell on someone
inform on, shop, give someone away, denounce, split on
tell someone off
reprimand, rebuke, scold, lecture, carpet
tell something apart
differentiate between, distinguish between, discriminate between, make a distinction between, separate