tell

verb
UK: /tel/
US: /tel/

  1. To say something to someone, giving information or news.

    1. Please tell me your name now. [ ] [ ]
    2. Can you tell me what time the train leaves in the morning? [ ] [ ]

  2. To instruct or order someone to do something.

    1. My boss told me to finish it today. [ ] [ ]
    2. She told him that he needed to be more responsible at his work. [ ] [ ]

  3. To relate a story or event.

    1. I will tell you a story soon. [ ] [ ]
    2. He told us about his adventures during the summer vacation that he had last year. [ ] [ ]

  4. To be able to discern or recognize something.

    1. I can tell that you are very tired. [ ] [ ]
    2. You can tell by her accent that she is originally from Scotland. [ ] [ ]

Synonyms

say recount instruct inform order relate narrate distinguish discern state command
tell noun

  1. The act of telling something; a report or account.

    1. I will give you a tell soon. [ ] [ ]
    2. The tell of the story left everyone feeling inspired and optimistic. [ ] [ ]

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "tell" in English means: To say something to someone, giving information or news., To instruct or order someone to do something., To relate a story or event., To be able to discern or recognize something..

The phonetic transcription of "tell" is /tel/ in British English and /tel/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "tell": say, recount, instruct, inform, order, relate, narrate, distinguish, discern, state, command.

Example usage of "tell": "Please tell me your name now.". More examples on the page.