telltale
Telltale (noun) means something that gives away or reveals a fact, often one meant to stay hidden. Example: “The telltale smell of smoke gave away where he'd been hiding.”
How to use telltale
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething (a sign, mark, or light) that gives away a secret or warns of a problem.
Word forms
more telltale comparative, telltales plural, most telltale superlative
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ smell of smoke gave away where he'd been hiding.
Etymology
From tell plus tale, likely reshaped from an earlier form of "tale-teller."
Related words
Rhymes for telltale
See all rhymes for 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.
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