Tell (Verb)
Meaning 1
Mark as different; "We distinguish several kinds of maple".
Classification
Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting.
Examples
- The doctor can tell a cold from an allergy by using a variety of diagnostic tools.
- Experts can usually tell an authentic diamond from a fake one just by examining it closely.
- One way to tell salt and baking soda apart is to taste them.
- An experienced mechanic can tell the difference between engine and brake trouble by paying attention to the sound.
- Connoisseurs of fine wine can usually tell a Bordeaux from a Burgundy by its distinctive bouquet.
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Meaning 2
Narrate or give a detailed account of; "Tell what happened"; "The father told a story to his child".
Classification
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing.
Examples
- The detective was asked to tell the jury exactly what she had witnessed at the crime scene.
- During storytime, the teacher told an enchanting tale of a magical kingdom to the class.
- The father told his son the story of how he met his mother when he was just a teenager.
- The survivor was too traumatized to tell what had happened to her during the accident.
- The elderly woman began to tell the story of her childhood, growing up during the war years.
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Meaning 3
Discern or comprehend; "He could tell that she was unhappy".
Classification
Verbs of thinking, judging, analyzing, doubting.
Examples
- I could tell that the food was stale by the smell.
- You can tell that she's not herself today, something is bothering her.
- He could tell she was lying just by looking at her eyes.
- I could tell that the music was affecting him deeply, he started to cry.
- She could tell that something was wrong with her car by the strange noise it was making.
Hypernyms
Meaning 4
Give evidence; "he was telling on all his former colleague".
Classification
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing.
Examples
- The witness will tell on the corrupt businessman by revealing their shady dealings in court.
- She was punished by her siblings for telling on them to their parents about the broken vase.
- He was telling on his former colleagues during the trial, revealing their involvement in the scandal.
- The former employee was hesitant to tell on her ex-boss, fearing retaliation.
- The informer agreed to tell on the crime lord in exchange for immunity from prosecution.
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Meaning 5
Give instructions to or direct somebody to do something with authority; "I said to him to go home"; "She ordered him to do the shopping"; "The mother told the child to get dressed".
Classification
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing.
Examples
- The teacher told the student to sit down and be quiet.
- The police officer told the driver to pull over to the side of the road.
- She told her employees to work late to meet the deadline.
- The instructor told the trainees to follow the safety guidelines carefully.
- The manager told the new recruit to report to the HR department for orientation.
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Meaning 6
Let something be known; "Tell them that you will be late".
Classification
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing.
Examples
- Tell the children that bedtime is in an hour so they can finish their toys.
- Please tell the chef that we'd like our steaks cooked medium rare.
- She didn't want anyone to know, but her sister had to tell their parents about the broken vase.
- Tell everyone the party has been postponed until next weekend.
- Can you tell him that the meeting has been rescheduled for tomorrow morning?
Hyponyms
- Pass On
- Publicise
- Reveal
- Air
- Betoken
- Divulge
- Ingeminate
- Annunciate
- Bring Out
- Iterate
- Discover
- Point
- Disclose
- Bare
- Reiterate
- Divagate
- Give Away
- Retell
- Let Out
- Indicate
- Give
- Wander
- Restate
- Signal
- Propagandise
- Foretell
- Expose
- Harbinger
- Let On
- Break
- Leave
- Uncover
- Talk
- Stray
- Herald
Related Words
Meaning 7
Inform positively and with certainty and confidence; "I tell you that man is a crook!".
Classification
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing.
Examples
- I tell you, this is the best restaurant in town and their food is always top-notch.
- I promise you that, I tell you straight, this investment will bring you a fortune in no time.
- Listen to me and I tell you the truth, that new policy is going to greatly benefit our community.
- I tell you for sure, their customer service is first-class and they will always resolve any issue promptly.
- I tell you one thing and that is, you won't regret buying that car, it's a gem.
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Meaning 8
Express in words; "He said that he wanted to marry her"; "tell me what is bothering you"; "state your opinion"; "state your name".
Classification
Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing.
Examples
- Tell me what you did last night and I'll help you figure it out.
- The president will tell the nation the solution to the current crisis in his speech tonight.
- She did not tell the whole truth in her statement to the police officer.
- The teacher asked the student to tell what lesson he learned from the story.
- He took a deep breath and began to tell his personal story to the whole class.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Hyponyms
- Reply
- Give
- Explain
- Summarize
- Answer
- Add
- Preface
- Get Out
- Misstate
- Articulate
- Observe
- Summarise
- Represent
- Announce
- Remark
- Introduce
- Enunciate
- Sum Up
- Precede
- Vocalise
- Append
- Present
- Declare
- Note