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Common

tell

The correct spelling is tell.

How to pronounce tell

/tɛl/
noun

IPA: /tɛl/

Say it like: Tel-l

The correct spelling is tell. A reflexive, often habitual behavior, especially one occurring in a context that often features attempts at deception by persons under psychological stress (such as a poker game… For example: "All told, there were over a dozen.  Can you tell time on a clock?  He had untold wealth."

Usage Examples

All told, there were over a dozen.  Can you tell time on a clock?  He had untold wealth.

I want to tell a story;  I want to tell you a story.

Finally, someone told him the truth.  He seems to like to tell lies.

Meanings

noun

  1. 1.A reflexive, often habitual behavior, especially one occurring in a context that often features attempts at deception by persons under psychological stress (such as a poker game or police interrogation), that reveals information that the person exhibiting the behavior is attempting to withhold.
  2. 2.That which is told; a tale or account.
  3. 3.A private message to an individual in a chat room; a whisper.
  4. 4.A hill or mound, originally and especially in the Middle East, over or consisting of the ruins of ancient settlements.

verb

  1. 1.(archaic outside of idioms) To count, reckon, or enumerate.
  2. 2.To narrate.
  3. 3.To convey by speech; to say.
  4. 4.To instruct or inform.
  5. 5.To order; to direct, to say to someone.

Similar words

Words related in meaning — check their spelling too.

View synonyms & usage examples