tell

About 139.06 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. verb Mental senses related to determining, reckoning, or perceiving To determine the number, amount, or value of [something].

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

2. verb To determine the number, amount, or value of [something].

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

3. verb To notice, discern. (Roughly, "can tell" means "know" but with a sense of direct perception.)

   I can tell that you're thrilled.

4. verb To pick up on a difference. (See tell apart for more.)

   An expert can tell an original from a forgery.

5. verb Social senses of communicating To narrate, to recount.

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

6. verb To narrate, to recount.

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

7. verb To convey by speech; to say.

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

8. verb To instruct or inform.

   Please tell me how to do it.

Similar words

demonstrate recount recite evidence narrate ascertain say order secernate tell apart

Often followed by

you me the him us them her a what

Word family

telling tells told