telling Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. noun an act of narration
   recounting; relation.
   
   • he was the hero according to his own relation
   • his endless recounting of the incident eventually became unbearable
2. noun informing by words
   notification; apprisal.
   
3. noun disclosing information or giving evidence about another
   tattle; singing.
   
4. verb express in words
   state; say; tell.
   
   • He said that he wanted to marry her
   • tell me what is bothering you
   • state your opinion
   • state your name
5. verb let something be known
   tell.
   
   • Tell them that you will be late
6. verb narrate or give a detailed account of
   recite; tell; narrate; recount.
   
   • Tell what happened
   • The father told a story to his child
7. verb give instructions to or direct somebody to do something with authority
   say; enjoin; order; tell.
   
   • I said to him to go home
   • She ordered him to do the shopping
   • The mother told the child to get dressed
8. verb discern or comprehend
   tell.
   
   • He could tell that she was unhappy
9. verb inform positively and with certainty and confidence
   assure; tell.
   
   • I tell you that man is a crook!
10. verb give evidence
    tell; evidence.
    
    • he was telling on all his former colleague
11. verb mark as different
    secernate; severalise; separate; severalize; tell apart; differentiate; distinguish; tell; secern.
    
    • We distinguish several kinds of maple
12. adjective satellite disclosing unintentionally
    revealing; telltale.
    
    • a telling smile
    • a telltale panel of lights
    • a telltale patch of oil on the water marked where the boat went down
13. adjective satellite powerfully persuasive
    cogent; weighty.
    
    • a cogent argument
    • a telling presentation
    • a weighty argument
14. adjective satellite producing a strong effect
    impressive.
    
    • gave an impressive performance as Othello
    • a telling gesture

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