Define tell. tell synonyms, tell pronunciation, tell translation, English dictionary definition of tell. v. told , tell·ing , tells v. tr. 1. a. To communicate by speech or writing; express with words: She told him that the store was closed. Tell me the truth. tell (third-person singular simple present tells, present participle telling, simple past and past participle told or (dialectal or nonstandard) telled) Mental senses related to determining, reckoning, or perceiving (transitive, archaic outside of idioms) To determine the number, amount, or value of [something]. TELL definition: 1. to say something to someone, often giving them information or instructions: 2. to say…. Learn more. Definition of tell verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. TELL definition: to give an account or narrative of; narrate; relate (a story, tale, etc.). See examples of tell used in a sentence. 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. The meaning of TELL is to relate in detail : narrate. How to use tell in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Tell. Find 218 different ways to say TELL, along with antonyms, related words, and example sentences at Thesaurus.com. Discover everything about the word TELL in English: meanings, translations, synonyms, pronunciations, examples, and grammar insights - all in one comprehensive guide. SAY and TELL are two of the most commonly used verbs in English, but many learners find them confusing. They both refer to speaking or communicating.