adj
Very common
telling
TEH-lihng
Telling (adj) means revealing something important, often without meaning to; significant. Example: “The telling detail in her story was that she never mentioned her brother.”
adj
1
Revealing something important, often without meaning to; significant.
"The telling detail in her story was that she never mentioned her brother."
"His nervous laugh was a telling sign that he was hiding something."
"It's telling that none of her colleagues wanted to comment."
noun
1
The act of narrating or passing on information.
"The telling of the old legend took the whole evening around the fire."
"Her telling of the news was calm and gentle."
"The story loses something with each telling."
How to use telling
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAs an adjective, describes a detail or reaction that reveals more than was intended.
Common pairings
a telling sign
a telling silence
in the telling
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Word forms
- Plural
- tellings
- Comparative
- more telling
- Superlative
- most telling
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The _____ detail in her story was that she never mentioned her brother.
Etymology
The -ing form of the verb tell.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for telling
welling
selling
yelling
felling
spelling
dwelling
swelling
smelling
shelling
gruelling
modelling
expelling
See all rhymes for telling →
Frequently asked questions
What does “telling” mean?
The word “telling” means revealing something important, often without meaning to; significant. In plain terms, as an adjective, describes a detail or reaction that reveals more than was intended.
How do you pronounce “telling”?
“Telling” is pronounced TEH-lihng (/ˈtɛlɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “telling” in a sentence?
Here is “telling” used in a sentence: “His nervous laugh was a telling sign that he was hiding something.”
What part of speech is “telling”?
Depending on how it is used, “telling” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “telling” a common word?
“Telling” is a very common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “telling” have?
“Telling” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: revealing something important, often without meaning to; significant.
What does it mean when something is telling?
When something is "telling," it reveals something important, often unintentionally. A telling detail, glance, or silence gives away more than was meant to be shown. The word suggests that a small sign has exposed a deeper truth about a person, situation, or feeling.
What is an example of telling?
"Her telling silence made his guilt obvious" is a classic use, where the silence revealed the truth without a word. A "telling detail" in a story, or a "telling look" that betrays someone's feelings, both show how a small, revealing sign discloses something significant.
What is the difference between telling and revealing?
The two are close. "Revealing" states plainly that something hidden is being shown. "Telling" adds that the disclosure is often unintentional and significant, a small sign that gives more away than intended. A telling remark exposes a truth the speaker may not have meant to share.
Is telling a positive or negative word?
"Telling" is largely neutral but often carries a knowing or slightly critical tone, because it frequently exposes something someone would rather hide. A telling mistake or telling silence tends to reveal an awkward truth. Context decides whether the revelation is welcome, but the word itself simply means significant and revealing.
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