Skip to content

tell

/tɛl/noun, verb1 syllable

Tell means: mark as different.

Synonyms for tell31

noun, as in 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)

William Tell

verb, as in mark as different

distinguish, separate, differentiate, secern, secernate, severalize, severalise, tell apart

verb, as in express in words

state, say

verb, as in narrate or give a detailed account of

narrate, recount, recite

verb, as in give instructions to or direct somebody to do something with authority

order, enjoin, say

verb, as in inform positively and with certainty and confidence

assure

verb, as in give evidence

evidence

also used for tell

count, reckon, enumerate, relate, advise, tell on, grass up, disclose, number, apprise, make known, snitch, tattle

Includes material from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.

What does tell mean?9

verb

1

mark as different“We distinguish several kinds of maple”

2

express in words“He said that he wanted to marry her”

3

narrate or give a detailed account of“Tell what happened”

4

give instructions to or direct somebody to do something with authority“I said to him to go home”

5

inform positively and with certainty and confidence“I tell you that man is a crook!”

6

give evidence“he was telling on all his former colleague”

7

let something be known“Tell them that you will be late”

8

discern or comprehend“He could tell that she was unhappy”

noun

1

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)

Definitions from the Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

What rhymes with tell?42

three syllables

personnelurl

four syllables

html
Show 40 near rhymes
whentheirtheregetthemthensaidwherebesthelpagainnextagainstendleftletsetcarereadyetheadmenwentyeslesssayshealthfriendsdeathelseairfriendredcheckmyselfyourselfwestgetshimselfself

All 42 rhymes for tell, grouped by syllable

Tell in a sentence

  • Please tell me what happened - off the record, of course.SadeN
  • Could you tell me the way to the station, please?CK
  • If you tell too many lies, people won't ever believe your words.auxitt
  • If he comes, tell him to wait for me.CK
  • If you go anywhere, you had better tell your mother first.CC
  • You don't have to tell me that, fool.shekitten
  • Excuse me, but would you please tell me the way to the post office?CK
  • Excuse me, but could you tell me the way to the station?Dejo

Sentences from Tatoeba, CC BY 2.0 FR, credited to their authors.

Forms of tell

as a noun

plural
tells

as a verb

past tense
told
past participle
told
present participle
telling
third-person singular
tells