First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1tell
verb \ˈtel\
: to say or write (something) to (someone)
: to say (a word or words) to (someone)
: to give information to (someone) by speaking or writing
told \ˈtōld\ tell·ing
Full Definition of TELL
transitive verb
1
2
3
4
a : to give information to : inform <tell us about your job> b : to assure emphatically <they did not do it, I tell you>
6
: to find out by observing : recognize <you can tell it's a masterpiece>
intransitive verb
1
: to give an account <an article telling of her experience>
2
: to act as an informer —often used with on <I'll get even with you if you ever tell on me — Inside Detective>
3
: to have a marked effect <the pressure was beginning to tell on him>
4
: to serve as evidence or indication
See tell defined for English-language learners
See tell defined for kids
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Origin of TELL
Middle English, from Old English tellan; akin to Old High German zellen to count, tell, Old English talu tale
Related to TELL
Synonym Discussion of TELL
reveal, disclose, divulge, tell, betray mean to make known what has been or should be concealed. reveal may apply to supernatural or inspired revelation of truths beyond the range of ordinary human vision or reason <divine will as revealed in sacred writings>. disclose may imply a discovering but more often an imparting of information previously kept secret <candidates must disclose their financial assets>. divulge implies a disclosure involving some impropriety or breach of confidence <refused to divulge an anonymous source>. tell implies an imparting of necessary or useful information <told them what he had overheard>. betray implies a divulging that represents a breach of faith or an involuntary or unconscious disclosure <a blush that betrayed her embarrassment>.
2tell
noun
Definition of TELL
Origin of TELL
Arabic tall
First Known Use: 1864
TELL Defined for Kids
tell
verb \ˈtel\
told \ˈtōld\tell·ing
Definition of TELL for Kids
1
: to let a person know something : to give information to <I'll tell them when they get here.>
2
: 1order 2 <The policeman told us to wait.>
3
: to find out by observing <My little brother has learned to tell time.>
4
: 1say 1 <Don't tell a lie.>
5
: to describe in detail <Can you tell me a story?>
6
: to make known <tell a secret>
7
: to bring the bad behavior of to the attention of an authority <Don't tell on me.>
8
: 1count 1 <All told there were 27 of us.>
9
: to have a noticeable result <The pressure began to tell on them.>
10
: to act as evidence <They had smiles telling of success.>
11
: to see or understand the differences between two people or things <Can you tell right from wrong?>
12
: to see or know (something) with certainty <It's hard to tell if he's serious.>
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