The meaning of TELL is to relate in detail : narrate. How to use tell in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Tell.

Understanding the Context

We use tell with an indirect object and a to-infinitive to report a command or an instruction. Discover everything about the word "TELL" in English: meanings, translations, synonyms, pronunciations, examples, and grammar insights - all in one comprehensive guide. Define tell. tell synonyms, tell pronunciation, tell translation, English dictionary definition of tell.

Key Insights

v. told , tell ing , tells v. tr. 1. a.

Final Thoughts

To communicate by speech or writing; express with words: She told him that the store was closed. Tell me the truth.... To tell is to describe or announce something, either by speaking or writing. If you're going to be late to a movie, you should tell your friends so they can save you a seat. Sense group 1 is now most often found with words bearing a sense of ability, such as "can tell" or "one way to tell". For many of the senses of tell, the word show would have a contrasting meaning, and in other senses, it would have a nearly identical meaning.

TELL definition: to give an account or narrative of; narrate; relate (a story, tale, etc.). See examples of tell used in a sentence. to say to somebody that they must or should do something:) to tell somebody to do something, especially in a formal or official way: The letter instructed him to report to headquarters immediately. She looked at the palm of my hand and told me my fortune.