WordGarden.iotelltale
C1Pronunciation
UK
- /tˈɛlteɪl/
US
- /ˈtɛlˌteɪl/
Meanings
Adjective
revealing or serving as a clear sign of something
Noun
a sign, mark, or feature that reveals something hidden or true
a person, especially a child, who tells on someone or reveals a secret
a small indicator or warning device, or a streamer used to show airflow or movement
Beyond the definition
A telltale sign is something that reveals a hidden truth, often without meaning to. Think of a smudge of chocolate on a child's face: it is a clear sign that they have been sneaking sweets. A limp after a fall, a scent of smoke in the air, or a shaky voice during an excuse can all point to what is really going on. The word is often used when a detail gives someone away or shows more than they wanted to show.
The word "telltale" describes something that reveals a fact, a feeling, or a situation, especially when it was meant to stay hidden. It is more than just a sign; it is a clue that seems to speak for itself. A mark, a sound, a movement, or even a pattern can quietly show what is really true.
You will often find telltale signs in detective stories. A single muddy footprint can show that someone was recently at the scene of the crime. In everyday life, the word works the same way. A flushed face, trembling hands, or a slip of the tongue may reveal nervousness, guilt, or fear. It is most often used when something is shown unintentionally by a small but meaningful detail.
However, "telltale" is not only about secrets or lies. A bloom on a fruit tree can be a clear sign that spring has arrived, and a pattern in data can point to a hidden trend. In this wider sense, the word describes anything that clearly shows what is happening.
Think of Edgar Allan Poe's famous story "The Tell-Tale Heart." The beating heart is not just a sound; it becomes a sign of the narrator's guilt and troubled mind, and in the end it drives him to confess. So whenever a small detail gives away a hidden truth, that detail is telltale.
Examples
- 1
Physical evidence
There was a telltale lipstick mark on the rim of the cup.
- 2
Detective clue
The detective noticed the telltale smell of smoke on his jacket.
- 3
Stress sign
Dark circles under her eyes were a telltale sign of stress.
- Patterntelltale sign of + condition/problem
something that clearly shows it
- 4
Suspicious pause
His telltale pause before answering made everyone suspicious.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Vehicle warning
A red telltale lit up on the dashboard when the engine got too hot.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- telltale sign
- telltale mark
- telltale clue
Word family
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Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- telltalenounadjective
Forms
- telltalespluralnounadjective