Word Finder - tell

definition

A reflexive, often habitual behavior, especially one occurring in a context that often features attempts at deception by persons under psychological stress (such as a poker game or police interrogation), that reveals information that the person exhibiting the behavior is attempting to withhold.

definition

That which is told; a tale or account.

definition

A private message to an individual in a chat room; a whisper.

definition

(archaic outside of idioms) To count, reckon, or enumerate.

example

All told, there were over a dozen.  Can you tell time on a clock?  He had untold wealth.

definition

To narrate.

example

I want to tell a story;  I want to tell you a story.

definition

To convey by speech; to say.

example

Finally, someone told him the truth.  He seems to like to tell lies.

definition

To instruct or inform.

example

Please tell me how to do it.

definition

To order; to direct, to say to someone.

example

Tell him to go away.

definition

To discern, notice, identify or distinguish.

example

Can you tell whether those flowers are real or silk, from this distance?  No, there's no way to tell.

definition

To reveal.

example

Time will tell what became of him.

definition

To be revealed.

definition

To have an effect, especially a noticeable one; to be apparent, to be demonstrated.

example

Sir Gerald was moving slower; his wounds were beginning to tell.

definition

To use (beads or similar objects) as an aid to prayer.

definition

To inform someone in authority about a wrongdoing.

example

I saw you steal those sweets! I'm going to tell!

definition

(authorship) To reveal information in prose through outright expository statement -- contrasted with show

example

Maria rewrote the section of her novel that talked about Meg and Sage's friendship to have less telling and more showing.

Then there will be no one to tell tales.

I love to tell you about God.

Boys, what did I tell you?

I tell her she must go.

Why didn't you tell me?

Why did you tell Howard about the books?

Tell him to come later.

But then, if Tessa didn't marry him, why didn't Dulce tell him about the baby?

It might be a good idea to tell Len or Howard about it.

The picture-book will tell you all about many strange and wild animals.

Now I am going to tell you a secret.

I would gladly tell all that I know about it, and never paint "No Admittance" on my gate.

You will not tell him?

That's why I didn't tell you.

I'll tell you some things about myself.

But now I want to tell you how glad I am that you are so happy and enjoying your home so very much.

He cannot imagine how very, very happy he will be when he can tell us his thoughts, and we can tell him how we have loved him so long.

Could you, in such a case, tell surely of any company of civilized men which belonged to the most respected class?

It was hard to tell.

Please tell the brave sailors, who have charge of the HELEN KELLER, that little Helen who stays at home will often think of them with loving thoughts.

Just tell us what to do.

At last James Hogg said, "It's of no use; all we can do is to go home and tell the master that we have lost his whole flock."

It is a very pretty story, and I will tell it to you some time.

Nevertheless, I must tell you that we are alive,--that we reached home safely, and that we speak of you daily, and enjoy your interesting letters very much.

If I should attempt to tell how I have desired to spend my life in years past, it would probably surprise those of my readers who are somewhat acquainted with its actual history; it would certainly astonish those who know nothing about it.

She wanted to tell him how much she missed him - how much she wished he was there, but he might jump in the truck and travel dangerous highways.

Tell me how it happened.

I want you to tell me the truth.

But even if I had a robot that knew everything, I couldn't really say, "Tell me every custom they have here" and be fully informed.

I cannot tell exactly when I began Lamb's "Tales from Shakespeare"; but I know that I read them at first with a child's understanding and a child's wonder.

Please tell me something that you know about God.

Tell Mildred she must be kind to them for my sake.

We think of you so, so often! and our hearts go out to you in tenderest sympathy; and you know better than this poor letter can tell you how happy we always are to have you with us!

I know you will be amused when I tell you that I am deeply interested in politics.

She seems to like to tell all she knows.

How tell the little countess!

Let us write her a letter at once, and she'll come here and all will be explained, or else, my dear boy, let me tell you it's quite likely you'll have to suffer for it.

Did you tell him how it makes you feel?

Before the end of the first year I read "Wilhelm Tell" with the greatest delight.

I will tell you a little story about Plymouth.

The two distinguished authors were very gentle and kind, and I could not tell which of them I loved best.

For no system of marks in a lexicon can tell one how to pronounce a word.

If it is true that Monsieur Denisov has made you a proposal, tell him he is a fool, that's all!

Tell me everything--the whole truth.

You let your mother tell me.

How you would have enjoyed hearing him tell about Venice!

Please give my love to your good Greek friends, and tell them that I shall come to Athens some day.

It was hard to tell whether the sarcasm had gone over his head or he simply wasn't amused.

Wanna tell me what you're thinking, boss?

I can never tell you how much pleasure they have given us.