English Dictionary

Definition of “telling”

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Word Frequency

Word Frequency of telling

telling (ˈtɛlɪŋ Pronunciation for telling ) 

Definitions

adjective

  1. having a marked effect or impact ⇒ a telling blow
  2. revealing ⇒ a telling smile

Derived Forms

ˈtellingly adverb

tell1 (tɛl Pronunciation for tell1 ) 

Definitions

verb

Word forms:  tells, telling, told
  1. when tr, may take a clause as object to let know or notify ⇒ he told me that he would go
  2. tr to order or instruct (someone to do something) ⇒ I told her to send the letter airmail
  3. when intr, usually foll by of to give an account or narration (of something) ⇒ she told me her troubles
  4. tr to communicate by words; utter ⇒ to tell the truth
  5. tr to make known; disclose ⇒ to tell fortunes
  6. intr often foll by of to serve as an indication ⇒ her blush told of her embarrassment
  7. tr; used with can, etc; may take a clause as object to comprehend, discover, or discern ⇒ I can tell what is wrong
  8. tr; used with can, etc to distinguish or discriminate ⇒ he couldn't tell chalk from cheese
  9. intr to have or produce an impact, effect, or strain ⇒ every step told on his bruised feet
  10. intr sometimes foll by on (informal) to reveal secrets or gossip (about) ⇒ don't tell!, she told on him
  11. tr to assure ⇒ I tell you, I've had enough!
  12. tr to count (votes)
  13. intr (dialect) to talk or chatter
  14. (informal (mainly US) to tell the truth no matter how unpleasant it is

  15. See tell the time

  16. See you're telling me

See also

tell apart, tell off

Derived Forms

ˈtellable adjective

Word Origin

Old English tellan; related to Old Saxon tellian, Old High German zellen to tell, count, Old Norse telja

Synonyms

View thesaurus entry
= inform, notify, make aware, say to, state to, warn, reveal to, express to, brief, advise, disclose to, proclaim to, fill in, speak about to, confess to, impart, alert to, divulge, announce to, acquaint with, communicate to, mention to, make known to, apprise, utter to, get off your chest, let know, flag up
= describe, relate, recount, report, portray, depict, chronicle, rehearse, narrate, give an account of
= instruct, order, command, direct, bid, enjoin
= see, make out, discern, understand, discover, be certain, comprehend
= distinguish, discriminate, discern, differentiate, identify
= talk, tell tales, spill the beans, give the game away, blab, let the cat out of the bag
= reveal, show, indicate, disclose, signify, be evidence of
= have or take effect, register, weigh, have force, count, take its toll, carry weight, make its presence felt
= assure, promise, guarantee, swear, give someone your word
= count, reckon, calculate, compute, tally, number, enumerate

Translations for 'telling'

  • British English: telling The telling of a story or of something that has happened is the reporting of it to other people. NOUNHe sat quietly through the telling of this saga.
  • Brazilian Portuguese: narrativa
  • Chinese: 讲述讲講述
  • European Spanish: narración
  • French: récit
  • German: Erzählen
  • Italian: racconto
  • Japanese: 話すこと
  • Korean: 이야기하기
  • Portuguese: narrativa
  • Spanish: narración

Example Sentences Including 'telling'

At first, when their cops out there started telling me things, I didn't want to know.
Jon Cleary YESTERDAY'S SHADOW (2002)
He is telling anybody who will listen about his plans to take over - sorry merge with - AIB.
Irish Times (2002)
He must have delighted in telling the world that he would have preferred to live in the Soviet Union than in the US.
Country Life (2004)
However, he warned them that telling lies was not evidence of guilt.
Glasgow Herald (2001)
It would take a lot more than your word to send us back to London telling our people not to worry.
Robert Wilson THE COMPANY OF STRANGERS (2002)
Mr Cahill said he would be telling the parents about the difficulties confronting teachers today.
Irish Times (2002)
Now, hang on, I bet you're Frau Penck, the treasure old Budgie was telling me about.
Anthony Masters CASCADES - THE DAY OF THE DEAD (2001)
Soon after, Wakeford received a call from Lister telling him that he was wanted.
Rob Mundle FATAL STORM (2001)
Standing beside me, Gerry decides to confess all, telling me he's not big on plant names.
Glasgow Herald (2001)

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