Telling: meaning, definitions and examples

🗣️

Add to dictionary

telling

[ˈtɛlɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

communication

Communicating information, facts, or news to someone in spoken or written form.

Synonyms

informing, recounting, reporting.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
telling	Used in casual everyday conversations when someone is talking to another person about something. He was telling me about his trip to Japan She was telling her parents about the movie she watched
informing	Commonly used in formal or official contexts when giving someone important information or news. The company is informing employees about the new policy changes The teacher is informing students about the upcoming test
reporting	Frequently used in formal contexts, especially in journalism, law enforcement, and business, when providing an account of something as a record, often involving factual data. The journalist is reporting on the latest political developments The witness is reporting the incident to the police
recounting	Typically used when someone is describing an event, especially in detail, often looking back on something that happened. She was recounting her experiences from the trip He spent the evening recounting his adventures from the hiking expedition

Examples of usage

He was telling me about his new job.
She told the students to be quiet.
I will tell her the good news later.
They are telling jokes at the party.
We need to tell them the truth.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

narration

Recounting a story or giving an account of events.

Synonyms

narrating, recounting, relating.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
telling	Repeated for emphasis on its flexible usage, suitable for various contexts, both casual and formal. She is telling the truth about what happened. They enjoy telling jokes at parties.
narrating	Typically used in the context of storytelling, often implying a more detailed or structured account. Frequently found in literary or formal settings. The author is narrating the events in the third person. He spent the evening narrating his adventures to the children.
recounting	This word implies providing a detailed account of events, often something that happened in the past. It is somewhat formal and is used when specific details are important. She was recounting her experiences from the trip abroad. He recounted the events leading up to the accident.
relating	Used to describe telling someone about a series of events or situations in a way that emphasizes the connection between them. It is more formal and often used in writing or speech. He is relating the key elements of the story to his audience. She kept relating her past experiences in the talk.

Examples of usage

She was telling a scary story around the campfire.
He told us about his adventures in the jungle.
The book tells the tale of a young wizard.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word 'telling' comes from the Old English 'tellan', which meant to count, relate, or explain.
In Middle English, it evolved to refer to revealing or narrating events, linking it to storytelling.
The adjective form emerged to describe something that exposes a lot, such as a 'telling detail' in a conversation.

Literature

In literature, a 'telling detail' can reveal character traits or plot points, helping readers understand deeper meanings.
Authors often use 'showing' versus 'telling' to make narratives more engaging, where showing evokes emotions instead of simply stating facts.
Classic literature often features 'telling' in the form of moral lessons wrapped in stories, like Aesop's Fables.

Psychology

Telling someone your thoughts can strengthen bonds by fostering trust and emotional understanding.
In therapy, the act of telling one’s story can be a vital part of healing, helping individuals process their experiences.
Research shows that sharing narratives can enhance memory retention, allowing individuals to recall events more vividly.

Pop Culture

Movies frequently utilize 'telling' through dialogues that reveal key plot twists, making the audience gasp in surprise.
Social media has created a new form of telling, with users sharing snippets of their lives, known as 'storytelling'.
In music, lyrics often tell stories that resonate with listeners, making them feel connected to the artist’s emotions.

Communication

Effective communication often relies on the ability to tell ideas clearly, making it crucial in both personal and professional settings.
Non-verbal cues also play a significant role in telling; gestures and facial expressions can speak volumes without words.
In cultures around the world, storytelling is a traditional art form that carries history, morals, and news from generation to generation.

Translations

Translations of the word "telling" in other languages:

🇵🇹 contar

🇮🇳 कहना (Kehna)

🇩🇪 erzählen

🇮🇩 menceritakan

🇺🇦 розповідь

🇵🇱 opowiadanie

🇯🇵 語る (Kataru)

🇫🇷 raconter

🇪🇸 contar

🇹🇷 anlatma

🇰🇷 말하기 (Malhagi)

🇸🇦 إخبار (Ikhbar)

🇨🇿 vyprávění

🇸🇰 rozprávanie

🇨🇳 讲述 (Jiǎngshù)

🇸🇮 pripovedovanje

🇮🇸 segja frá

🇰🇿 айту

🇬🇪 მოთხრობა (Motkhroba)

🇦🇿 danışmaq

🇲🇽 contar

Word Frequency Rank

At position #2,544, this word belongs to solid intermediate vocabulary. It's frequently used in both casual and formal contexts and is worth learning for better fluency.

...
2541 variations
2542 peculiar
2543 funding
2544 telling
2545 mill
2546 peak
2547 inhabitants
...