26984 words

tells

20 definitions • 30 examples
1
to say something to someone, often giving them information or instructions:

Examples:

Tell me about your holiday then.
[ + two objects ] Can you tell me how to get to the library?
[ + obj + (that) ] Did you tell anyone (that) you were coming to see me?
[ + obj + speech ] "I'm leaving you," she told him.
[ + obj + to infinitive ] I told her to go home.
formal He told us of his extraordinary childhood.
I can't tell you how grateful I am for your help (= I am extremely grateful).
2
to say something/things that are not true:

Examples:

She's always telling lies.
3
to tell the facts without hiding anything
4
If someone, usually a child, tells tales, they tell someone such as a teacher about something bad that someone else has done:

Examples:

Your classmates won't trust you if you're always telling tales, Alvin.
5

Examples:

How do you know she's telling the truth?
6
to be honest:

Examples:

To tell (you) the truth, I didn't understand a word of what he was saying.
7
to know, recognize, or be certain:

Examples:

"He's Dutch." "How can you tell?"
[ + (that) ] I could tell (that) you were unhappy.
8
If something tells you something, it gives you information:

Examples:

What does the survey tell us about the lives of teenagers?
9
to notice a difference in quality between two things:

Examples:

This coffee is about half the price of that one and yet you really can't tell the difference.
10
to say what will happen in someone's future:

Examples:

At the fair, there was a lady who told your fortune.
11
to be able to understand a clock:

Examples:

My daughter has just learned to tell the time.
12
there is no way of knowing:

Examples:

There is no telling what the future will hold for them.
13
said to mean that you can never know or be certain:

Examples:

Who knows what will happen to Peter and me in the future - you can never tell.
14
to have an effect:

Examples:

She's been under a lot of stress recently and it's starting to tell.
15
(in the game of poker) something that a player does without thinking about it that may give the other players information about what he or she intends to do, etc. :

Examples:

If you are good at reading poker tells, you can usefully store them in your memory for future use.
16
something that someone does without thinking that shows what they are really thinking, especially if they are trying to deceive you:

Examples:

My boss, like so many company leaders, has a tell when he is about to announce bad news — he smiles weakly.
17
to say something to someone, esp. to give instructions or information; report:

Examples:

[ T ] Can you tell me how to get to the bus station?
[ I ] She told about her travels overseas.
18
to show or give information in ways other than talking:

Examples:

This light tells you when the battery is low.
19
to order someone to do something:

Examples:

I told you to be home by eleven.
20
to know or recognize:

Examples:

[ I ] It’s hard to tell which is better.
[ T ] It’s easy to tell a robin by its red breast.
[ + (that) clause ] I could tell that you were unhappy.
[ T ] This one is supposed to be better, but how can you tell the difference?

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