tell

//tɛl//
A1Frequency Level 1Neutral
Visual representation of tell

Verb

tellInfinitive
tellPresent tense
toldPast tense
toldPast participle
tellingPresent participle
tellsThird-person singular
1

to communicate information, facts, or news to someone in spoken or written words

She told me the news about her new job.

2

to narrate or relate a story, account, or sequence of events

She told us a story about her childhood.

3

to give an order or instruction to someone; to direct someone to do something

The teacher told the students to sit down.

4

to distinguish or recognize the difference between things

Can you tell the difference between these two colors?

5

to reveal a secret or disclose confidential information

Please don't tell anyone about this.

6

to have a noticeable effect or influence; to be significant

The stress is beginning to tell on her health.