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0 English - Monolingual Dictionary

Tell

tɛl
Extremely common
100 - 200
100-200, Extremely common
The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000. This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
To communicate information, facts, or news to someone, To order or instruct someone to do something, To distinguish or identify one thing from another, To reveal or disclose something previously unknown

Tell - Meanings

To communicate information, facts, or news to someone

Example: She told me about her new job.
Usage: informalContext: everyday conversations
Note: One of the most common uses of 'tell'. It is used to convey information or share stories.

To order or instruct someone to do something

Example: The teacher told the students to sit down.
Usage: formalContext: educational or professional settings
Note: This meaning is more authoritative and is often used in giving commands or directions.

To distinguish or identify one thing from another

Example: Can you tell the difference between these two paintings?
Usage: formalContext: comparing or contrasting items
Note: Used when asking someone to notice distinctions or similarities between things.

To reveal or disclose something previously unknown

Example: He finally told her the truth about what happened.
Usage: formalContext: confidential discussions
Note: This meaning is often associated with sharing personal or sensitive information.

Tell's synonyms

Say

To communicate verbally or in writing.
Example: She said she would be late.
Note: Similar in meaning to 'tell' but often used in more direct speech.

Inform

To give information or facts to someone.
Example: Please inform me if there are any changes.
Note: More formal and often used in professional or official contexts.

Notify

To formally or officially tell someone about something.
Example: The school will notify parents of any closures.
Note: Implies a formal or official communication.

Reveal

To make known or disclose something previously unknown.
Example: The detective revealed the true identity of the suspect.
Note: Often used when disclosing something significant or previously hidden.

Share

To tell someone about something that is important to you.
Example: She shared her concerns with her best friend.
Note: Emphasizes the act of disclosing personal thoughts or feelings.

Tell expressions, common phrases

Tell me about it

This phrase is used to express agreement or empathy with someone who has shared a frustrating or difficult experience.
Example: A: This project is so overwhelming. B: Tell me about it!
Note: The phrase 'tell me about it' goes beyond just conveying information but rather seeks to connect emotionally with the speaker's experience.

Tell someone off

To tell someone off means to scold or reprimand them, usually for something they have done wrong.
Example: She told him off for arriving late to the meeting.
Note: While 'tell' simply means to communicate information, 'tell off' specifically implies a scolding or reprimand.

Tell a white lie

To tell a white lie means to tell a harmless or small lie that is meant to avoid hurting someone's feelings.
Example: She told a white lie about enjoying the dinner when in reality she didn't like it.
Note: Unlike the straightforward act of 'telling', 'telling a white lie' involves intentionally not telling the truth for a specific purpose.

Tell it like it is

This phrase means to speak frankly or truthfully, even if it may be blunt or uncomfortable.
Example: I appreciate her honesty. She always tells it like it is.
Note: While 'tell' is a general term for conveying information, 'tell it like it is' emphasizes being direct and honest without sugarcoating.

Tell tales

To tell tales means to gossip or spread rumors about someone, often in a negative way.
Example: Stop telling tales about your classmates. It's not nice.
Note: The phrase 'tell tales' involves sharing information, often untruthful or exaggerated, about others, while 'tell' typically refers to conveying facts or details.

Tell it to the marines

This phrase is used to express disbelief or skepticism towards a statement or excuse.
Example: If you think I believe your excuse, you can tell it to the marines.
Note: 'Tell it to the marines' is a figurative expression that questions the credibility of what is being said, whereas 'tell' on its own is neutral in tone.

Tell on someone

To tell on someone means to reveal or report their misdeed or wrongdoing to an authority figure.
Example: Tommy told on his sister for breaking the vase.
Note: 'Tell on someone' involves sharing information that could get someone in trouble, whereas 'tell' alone does not imply negative consequences for the listener.

Tell everyday (slang) expressions

Tell it like it T-I-S

This slang term is a humorous way of saying 'tell it like it is,' emphasizing the straightforward and honest nature of someone's communication.
Example: He always tells it like it T-I-S which is why people trust him.
Note: The difference lies in the playful and exaggerated pronunciation, adding a light-hearted tone to the original phrase.

Tell-all

A tell-all is a piece of writing or speech that reveals private or intimate information about a particular person or situation.
Example: The new book is a tell-all about the celebrity's life, revealing many secrets.
Note: The term 'tell-all' carries a connotation of exposing sensitive or scandalous details, differentiating it from a general act of telling.

No telling

This phrase is used to convey uncertainty or unpredictability about a future event or outcome.
Example: There's no telling what will happen at the party tonight.
Note: Unlike a direct statement of prediction or expectation, 'no telling' emphasizes the open-ended and ambiguous nature of the situation.

Tell off

To 'tell someone off' means to reprimand or scold them strongly for their actions or behavior.
Example: He really told off the rude customer who was causing trouble in the store.
Note: While similar to 'tell someone off,' this slang term directly implies a forceful or harsh manner of confrontation.

Teller

A 'teller' is someone who tells stories or shares information in an engaging or compelling way.
Example: She's always been a good storyteller, captivating everyone with her narratives.
Note: This term highlights the skill or talent of narration or communication, as opposed to simply conveying information.

Can't tell up from down

This expression conveys a feeling of confusion or disorientation, unable to distinguish one direction or option from another.
Example: With all the new information coming in, I can't tell up from down anymore.
Note: Rather than a literal inability to perceive physical directions, it symbolizes a mental state of being overwhelmed or lost.

Little bird told me

This phrase is used to indicate that the speaker obtained information from an undisclosed or secret source.
Example: I heard about your promotion; a little bird told me the good news.
Note: Instead of directly stating the source of information, 'a little bird told me' adds a playful and mysterious tone to the disclosure.

Tell - Examples

Can you tell me the time, please?
She told him a secret.
I can't tell the difference between these two shirts.
He always tells funny jokes at parties.

Tell grammar

Tell - Verb (Verb) / Verb, base form (Verb, base form)
Lemma: tell
Conjugations
Verb, past tense (Verb, past tense): told
Verb, past participle (Verb, past participle): told
Verb, gerund or present participle (Verb, gerund or present participle): telling
Verb, 3rd person singular present (Verb, 3rd person singular present): tells
Verb, base form (Verb, base form): tell
Verb, non-3rd person singular present (Verb, non-3rd person singular present): tell
Syllabification and Stress
Tell Contains 1 syllables: tell
Phonetic transcription: ˈtel
tell , ˈtel (The red syllable is stressed)

Tell - Importance and usage frequency

The word frequency and importance index indicates how often a word appears in a given language. The smaller the number, the more frequently the word is used. The most frequently used words typically range from about 1 to 4000.
Tell: 100 - 200 (Extremely common).
This importance index helps you focus on the most useful words during your language learning process.
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