telltale
7 synonyms for telltale, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Something that gives away or reveals a fact, often one meant to stay hidden.
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.
Synonyms by Meaning
1. noun
Something that gives away or reveals a fact, often one meant to stay hidden.
“The telltale smell of smoke gave away where he'd been hiding.”
How to use telltale
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
telltale sign
telltale light
Etymology
From tell plus tale, likely reshaped from an earlier form of "tale-teller."
Full origin of telltale →Frequently asked questions
What does “telltale” mean?
The word “telltale” means something that gives away or reveals a fact, often one meant to stay hidden. In plain terms, something (a sign, mark, or light) that gives away a secret or warns of a problem.
How do you pronounce “telltale”?
“Telltale” is pronounced TEHL-tayl (/ˈtɛlteɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “telltale” in a sentence?
Here is “telltale” used in a sentence: “The telltale smell of smoke gave away where he'd been hiding.”
What part of speech is “telltale”?
Depending on how it is used, “telltale” can be a noun and an adjective.
How many meanings does “telltale” have?
“Telltale” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: something that gives away or reveals a fact, often one meant to stay hidden.
Related words
tell tales
