Tales: meaning, definitions and examples

Tales are narratives that are often imaginative or fictional, and can include folk tales, fairy tales, or any type of narrative that is engaging and entertaining. They are commonly used when discussing various kinds of storytelling that are more elaborate and entertaining.

• She loved reading tales about dragons and wizards.
• The old man had many tales from his youth.

Stories are general narratives that can be either true or fictional, and they can be of any length or topic. This term is broadly used for any kind of narrative form.

• She told a story about her trip to the mountains.
• The teacher read a story to the children before nap time.

Legends are semi-historical stories that often contain a mix of fact and myth. They are usually based on historical events or figures but are embellished over time.

• The legend of King Arthur is known around the world.
• Many legends are passed down through generations and become part of cultural heritage.

Fables are short stories that usually feature animals and convey a moral lesson. They are traditionally used to teach children about moral values and lessons.

• Aesop's fables are famous for their moral lessons.
• The fable of the tortoise and the hare teaches about the importance of persistence.

Use 'tales' when describing stories, especially those that are imaginative or fictional. These can be fairytales, legends, or other types of storytelling.

• Grandma used to tell us fascinating tales about heroes and monsters
• The children sat around the campfire, eagerly listening to ghost tales

Use 'rumors' for unverified pieces of information or stories that spread from person to person. They often have a negative connotation as they can be false and damaging.

• There are rumors going around that the company might be shutting down
• High school is often rife with unfounded rumors about students

Use 'gossip' when referring to informal, often sensational talk about other people's private lives. It can have a negative connotation as it implies sharing potentially harmful or unverified information.

• She loves to gossip about celebrities' latest scandals
• Office gossip can sometimes create a lot of unnecessary drama

Use 'hearsay' when referring to information received from others that one cannot adequately substantiate. It's often used in legal or formal contexts to denote unverified and indirect information.

• The judge dismissed the statement as hearsay, since it couldn't be proven
• You shouldn't base your decisions on mere hearsay