Told Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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told
told
Definition
past tense
The word 'told' is the past tense of the verb 'tell'. It is used to indicate that someone communicated information, instructions, or an event to another person in the past. The act of telling can involve sharing stories, providing guidance, or conveying emotions. In English, it is commonly used in a variety of contexts, including conversations, narratives, and reports.
Synonyms
informed, instructed, notified, related.
Examples of usage
- She told him a story.
- He told her to be quiet.
- They told us the news yesterday.
- I told my friends about the party.
Translations
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Quick facts about “told”
Told is a 1-syllable verb. It is pronounced /ˈtoʊɫd/ in American English and /tˈəʊld/ in British English. On finesentence.com it has 1 meaning, 4 synonyms, and translations into 21 languages. It ranks #366 among the most common English words.
Origin of 'told'
The word 'told' originates from the Old English term 'tellan', which means 'to relate' or 'to count'. This verb has Germanic roots and is related to similar words in other languages, such as the Dutch 'tellen' and the German 'zählen'. Historically, the meaning of 'tell' encompassed both the act of recounting or narrating and the action of counting or specifying things. Over time, the usage of 'tell' evolved, and the past form 'told' became prevalent in English. The transformation in meaning reflects the importance of communication in human interaction, with 'telling' being fundamental to sharing experiences and knowledge. As the English language developed, 'told' found its way into literature, spoken dialogue, and informal conversations, cementing its role as a crucial component of storytelling and information sharing.