WordGarden.iotell
A1Pronunciation
UK
- /tˈɛl/
US
- /ˈtɛl/
Meanings
Verb
to give information, report something, or instruct someone in words
to know, judge, or distinguish something from clues or perception
to narrate or relate a story, joke, or account
More meaningsFewer meanings
to show or reveal something through evidence, signs, or appearance
Noun
(informal)a revealing clue or habit that gives away what someone is thinking, especially in poker
Beyond the definition
To tell is one of the most basic ways we share our world with others. We tell stories, secrets, jokes, and directions. But it's more than just speaking! You can tell the difference between two things – noticing how subtly they vary. A skilled artist can even tell a story through their paintings without using words at all.
Think of a child excitedly telling their parents about their day, or a friend telling you the truth at an important moment. Sometimes "to tell" is followed by that: "She told me that she was leaving." Other times it's followed by someone and then the message: "He told his sister a secret." It's a simple word with many layers, all about communication and making things known.
The verb "tell" is deceptively complex. At its core, it means to communicate information—to share facts, stories, or opinions with another person. For example: "She told him about her trip to Italy," or "The teacher told the students to be quiet." In the latter case, the word functions as an instruction or a command.
However, "tell" extends beyond simple narration. It can also mean to reveal something previously unknown. "He didn't tell me he was getting married!" implies surprise and withheld information. You might tell the truth or tell a lie, highlighting the word's connection to honesty and deception.
Beyond direct communication, "tell" can indicate perception. "I can tell it's going to rain" means you sense an impending change in the environment. "You can tell by her expression that she's upset" suggests reading subtle social cues. You might also tell the difference between two similar items—discerning a distinction through observation—or even "tell the time" by looking at a clock.
Interestingly, "tell" often pairs with specific constructions: "Tell me..." is a common way to ask for information, while "tell someone off" means to scold them. Whether you're sharing news, revealing secrets, sensing changes, or simply making distinctions, "tell" covers the act of giving or reading information, which makes it a fundamental part of everyday human interaction.
Examples
- 1
Personal information
Tell me your name.
- 2
Reported speech
She told us that the train was late.
- 3
Instructions
He told his son to turn off the TV.
- Patterntell someone to do something
give an instruction
- 4
Sharing information
Did you tell Maya about the new schedule?
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Noticing feelings
I can tell you're tired.
- 6
Clues
I could tell from his voice that something was wrong.
- Patterntell from + clue
know because of something you notice
- 7
Similar people
It's hard to tell the twins apart.
- Patterntell X apart
see the difference between similar people or things
- 8
Comparing images
Can you tell the difference between these two photos?
- 9
Honesty
Please tell the truth.
- 10
Storytelling
Grandpa used to tell us stories about growing up by the sea.
- 11
Reading clocks
She's only five, so she can't tell the time yet.
- Phrasetell the time
know what time it is by reading a clock
- 12
Shared frustration
"Another delay?" "Tell me about it."
- PhraseTell me about it
I feel the same way; I know it's bad or annoying
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- tellverbnoun
Forms
- toldpast tensepast participleverbnoun
- telling-ing formverbnoun
- tellsverbnoun