to give an account or narrative of; narrate; relate (a story, tale, etc.): to tell the story of Lincoln's childhood.
to make known by speech or writing (a fact, news, information, etc.); communicate.
to announce or proclaim.
to utter (the truth, a lie, etc.).
to express in words (thoughts, feelings, etc.).
to reveal or divulge (something secret or private).
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),told,tell·ing.
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.
BritishDialect. to talk or chat.
Verb Phrases
tell off,
to separate from the whole and assign to a particular duty.
Informal.to rebuke severely; scold: It was about time that someone told him off.
tell on,to tattle on (someone).
Idioms for tell
tell it like it is, Informal. to tell the complete, unadulterated truth; be forthright: He may be crude but he tells it like it is.
Origin of tell
1
before 900; Middle English tellen,Old English tellan to relate, count; cognate with Dutch tellen to reckon, count, Old Norse telja to count, say, Old High German zellēn; akin to tale
telic, Telidon, teliospore, telium, Telkom, tell, tellable, tell-all, tell apart, tell a thing or two, Tell el Amarna
Definition for tell (2 of 3)
tell2
[ tel ]
/ tɛl /
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).
Origin of tell
2
First recorded in 1860–65; from Arabic tall “hillock”
As far as I can tell, this magazine spent as much time making fun of French politicians as it did of Muslims or Islam.
Harry Shearer on The Dangerous Business of Satire|Lloyd Grove|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
One bystander said he was told to tell the media that they were from al Qaeda in Yemen, or al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.
France Mourns—and Hunts|Nico Hines, Christopher Dickey|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“Jeffrey wanted me to tell you that you looked so pretty,” the female voice said into my disbelieving ear.
I Tried to Warn You About Sleazy Billionaire Jeffrey Epstein in 2003|Vicky Ward|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
They were going to tell their story, consequences be damned.
I Tried to Warn You About Sleazy Billionaire Jeffrey Epstein in 2003|Vicky Ward|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST
And I tell Ollie, just look at me, because they just pulled out the pistolas.
The Story Behind Lee Marvin’s Liberty Valance Smile|Robert Ward|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST
"I think, when I see her, I will tell her all about my Lizzie," he said.
The Incomplete Amorist|E. Nesbit
I tell you that this business is not going to end thus, that we must be avenged.
The Downfall|Emile Zola
I cannot tell you exactly what she felt when she saw Nino from her lofty window, but she was certainly glad with her whole heart.
A Roman Singer|F. Marion Crawford
Hide it not for my help, for my honour, but tell me, Lest my time and thy time be lost days and confusion!
Poems By The Way & Love Is Enough|William Morris
He was going to tell her to get it, but she guessed it herself.
Bunny Brown and His Sister Sue Playing Circus|Laura Lee Hope
British Dictionary definitions for tell (1 of 3)
tell1
/ (tɛl) /
verbtells, tellingortold
(when tr, may take a clause as object)to let know or notifyhe told me that he would go
(tr)to order or instruct (someone to do something)I told her to send the letter airmail
(when intr, usually foll by of) to give an account or narration (of something)she told me her troubles
(tr)to communicate by words; utterto tell the truth
(tr)to make known; discloseto tell fortunes
(intr often foll by of) to serve as an indicationher blush told of her embarrassment
(tr; used with can, etc; may take a clause as object)to comprehend, discover, or discernI can tell what is wrong
(tr; used with can, etc)to distinguish or discriminatehe couldn't tell chalk from cheese
(intr)to have or produce an impact, effect, or strainevery step told on his bruised feet
(intr sometimes foll by on) informalto reveal secrets or gossip (about)don't tell!; she told on him
(tr)to assureI tell you, I've had enough!
(tr)to count (votes)
(intr)dialectto talk or chatter
informal, mainlyUSto tell the truth no matter how unpleasant it is
tell the timeto read the time from a clock
you're telling meslangI know that very well
See also tell apart, tell off
Derived forms of tell
tellable, adjective
Word Origin for tell
Old English tellan; related to Old Saxon tellian, Old High German zellen to tell, count, Old Norse telja
British Dictionary definitions for tell (2 of 3)
tell2
/ (tɛl) /
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
Word Origin for tell
C19: from Arabic tall
British Dictionary definitions for tell (3 of 3)
Tell
/ (tɛl) /
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
What Are The 100 Most Common Words In English?The words we've compiled here probably look familiar: they are the 100 most frequently written words in the English language. As an added bonus, we have some helpful suggestions for more interesting synonyms (or words with similar meanings) that you might want to try instead.