Tell meaning

What does “tell” mean? Definitions, examples, synonyms and opposites.

“tell” is a noun and verb with 9 meanings. Its most common meaning is: a Swiss patriot who lived in the early 14th century and who was renowned for his skill as an archer; according to legend an Austrian governor compelled him to shoot an apple from his son's head with his crossbow (which he did successfully without mishap).

tell

noun

a Swiss patriot who lived in the early 14th century and who was renowned for his skill as an archer; according to legend an Austrian governor compelled him to shoot an apple from his son's head with his crossbow (which he did successfully without mishap)
SynonymsWilliam Tell

verb

express in words
“He said that he wanted to marry her”
“tell me what is bothering you”
Synonymsstate say
let something be known
“Tell them that you will be late”
narrate or give a detailed account of
“Tell what happened”
“The father told a story to his child”
Synonymsnarrate recount recite
give instructions to or direct somebody to do something with authority
“I said to him to go home”
“She ordered him to do the shopping”
Synonymsorder enjoin say
discern or comprehend
“He could tell that she was unhappy”
inform positively and with certainty and confidence
“I tell you that man is a crook!”
Synonymsassure
give evidence
“he was telling on all his former colleague”
Synonymsevidence
mark as different
“We distinguish several kinds of maple”
Synonymsdistinguish separate differentiate secern secernate severalize severalise tell apart

Source: WordNet 3.1, Princeton University

More about “tell”

✦Synonyms for tell✦Words that rhyme with tell