tale
10 synonyms for tale, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A story, especially one that is told aloud and may be fictional or exaggerated.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use tale
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
tell a tale
a tall tale
fairy tale
tales of adventure
Etymology
From Old English talu, meaning "story, series, or reckoning," related to "tell" and "talk."
Full origin of tale →Frequently asked questions
What does “tale” mean?
The word “tale” means a story, especially one that is told aloud and may be fictional or exaggerated. In plain terms, a story told out loud, or a bit of gossip that may stretch the truth.
How do you pronounce “tale”?
“Tale” is pronounced TEHL (/ˈteːl/ in IPA).
How do you use “tale” in a sentence?
Here is “tale” used in a sentence: “Grandfather told us a tale about ghosts in the old mill.”
What part of speech is “tale”?
“Tale” is a noun.
Where does the word “tale” come from?
The word “tale” comes from Old English. From Old English talu, meaning "story, series, or reckoning," related to "tell" and "talk.".
Is “tale” a common word?
“Tale” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “tale” have?
“Tale” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a story, especially one that is told aloud and may be fictional or exaggerated.
What is the difference between a "tale" and a "story"?
A "tale" is a kind of story, but it usually suggests something told aloud and often fictional, exaggerated, or set in the past, as in "fairy tale" or "folk tale." "Story" is the broader, more neutral word and can cover factual accounts as well as fiction.
What is the difference between "tale" and "tail"?
"Tale" and "tail" are homophones pronounced the same but with different meanings. A "tale" is a story or report, while a "tail" is the rear appendage of an animal.
What is a "tall tale"?
A "tall tale" is a story that is greatly exaggerated or hard to believe, drawing on the sense of "tale" as something that may be fictional or overstated. The adjective "tall" here means extravagant or improbable.
