tell meaning and definition

TELL noun

Definition of Tell (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)
   • synonyms: William Tell

TELL verb

Definition of tell (verb)

1. express in words
   • "He said that he wanted to marry her"; "tell me what is bothering you"; "state your opinion"; "state your name"
   • synonyms: say, state
2. let something be known
   • "Tell them that you will be late"
3. narrate or give a detailed account of
   • "Tell what happened"; "The father told a story to his child"
   • synonyms: narrate, recite, recount
4. give instructions to or direct somebody to do something with authority
   • "I said to him to go home"; "She ordered him to do the shopping"; "The mother told the child to get dressed"
   • synonyms: enjoin, order, say
5. discern or comprehend
   • "He could tell that she was unhappy"
6. inform positively and with certainty and confidence
   • "I tell you that man is a crook!"
   • synonyms: assure
7. give evidence
   • "he was telling on all his former colleague"
   • synonyms: evidence
8. mark as different
   • "We distinguish several kinds of maple"
   • synonyms: differentiate, distinguish, secern, secernate, separate, severalise, severalize, tell apart