Pronunciation: /tɛl/

Definitions of tell

noun a person who reveals information or gives instructions

Example Sentences

A1 Can you tell me the time?

A2 I need to tell you something important.

B1 She refused to tell the truth about what happened.

B2 The witness was asked to tell the court exactly what he saw.

C1 His ability to tell stories captivates audiences around the world.

C2 The author's latest book is a compelling tale that tells of love and loss.

verb to communicate information or instructions to someone

Example Sentences

A1 I can tell you a secret.

A2 She told me about her new job.

B1 Can you tell me how to get to the nearest train station?

B2 The witness told the police what he saw.

C1 He told a captivating story that kept everyone on the edge of their seats.

C2 The professor told the students to prepare for the upcoming exam.

Examples of tell in a Sentence

formal Please tell me about your experience with the project.

informal Can you tell me what happened at the party last night?

slang Hey, tell me all the juicy details from your date!

figurative His eyes told a story of pain and longing.

Grammatical Forms of tell

past tense

told

plural

tell

comparative

more telling

superlative

most telling

present tense

tell

future tense

will tell

perfect tense

have told

continuous tense

is telling

singular

tells

positive degree

tell

infinitive

to tell

gerund

telling

participle

telling

Origin and Evolution of tell

First Known Use: 1250 year
Language of Origin: Old English
Story behind the word: The word 'tell' originated from Old English 'tellan' which meant to count or enumerate.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the meaning of 'tell' expanded to include informing someone of something, narrating a story, or revealing information.