Tales: meaning, definitions and examples

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tales

 

[ teɪlz ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

storytelling

Tales are traditional stories or legends, often passed down through generations. They can be fictional or based on real events, and are typically used to entertain, teach moral lessons, or explain natural phenomena.

Synonyms

fables, legends, stories

Examples of usage

  • Tales of knights and dragons captivated the children around the campfire.
  • The villagers gathered to hear the old man's tales of magic and adventure.
Context #2 | Noun

rumors

Tales can also refer to rumors or gossip, especially when they are exaggerated or untrue. These tales are often spread quickly through word of mouth and can cause misunderstandings or conflicts.

Synonyms

gossip, hearsay, rumors

Examples of usage

  • Don't believe the tales you hear about the new teacher - they're just gossip.
  • The tales of scandal surrounding the celebrity turned out to be completely unfounded.

Translations

Translations of the word "tales" in other languages:

🇵🇹 contos

🇮🇳 कहानियाँ (kahaniyan)

🇩🇪 Geschichten

🇮🇩 cerita

🇺🇦 казки

🇵🇱 opowieści

🇯🇵 物語 (monogatari)

🇫🇷 contes

🇪🇸 cuentos

🇹🇷 hikayeler

🇰🇷 이야기 (iyagi)

🇸🇦 قصص (qisas)

🇨🇿 příběhy

🇸🇰 príbehy

🇨🇳 故事 (gùshì)

🇸🇮 zgodbe

🇮🇸 sögur

🇰🇿 әңгімелер (äñgimeler)

🇬🇪 მოთხრობები (motkhrobebi)

🇦🇿 hekayələr

🇲🇽 cuentos

Etymology

The word 'tales' originated from the Old English 'talas', meaning 'stories' or 'narratives'. Over time, it evolved to encompass a wider range of meanings, from traditional stories to rumors and gossip. Tales have played a significant role in oral storytelling traditions across cultures, shaping the way we pass down knowledge and entertain each other.

Word Frequency Rank

At #5,702 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.