tellin: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Neutral to Formal (can be used in all registers but the extended meaning leans slightly more formal)
Quick answer
What does “tellin” mean?
The act of relating, narrating, or informing someone of something.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act of relating, narrating, or informing someone of something.
A revealing, significant, or impactful account or disclosure; something that serves as strong evidence or indication.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is nearly identical. The adjective form ('a telling argument') is slightly more common in British formal writing.
Connotations
In both varieties, the word carries connotations of significance and revelation in its noun/adjective forms.
Frequency
Very frequent in both dialects with minimal difference.
Grammar
How to Use “tellin” in a Sentence
tell sb sthtell sb about sthtell sb (that)...tell sb to do sthtell of sthVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “tellin” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- She was telling him about her holiday in Cornwall.
- I'll be telling the committee my decision tomorrow.
American English
- He's telling everyone the news about the promotion.
- Are you telling me you didn't know?
adjective
British English
- The most telling criticism came from within his own party.
- Her silence on the matter was very telling.
American English
- It was a telling moment when he refused to answer.
- The poll provided telling insights into voter sentiment.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
'The telling data came from the Q4 sales report, revealing a shift in consumer habits.'
Academic
'The archaeologist's telling of the site's discovery included crucial details omitted from the original paper.'
Everyday
'She gave me a proper telling-off for forgetting her birthday.'
Technical
In computing, 'storytelling' is used in UX design, but 'telling' alone is not a technical term.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “tellin”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “tellin”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tellin”
- Using 'telling' as a simple synonym for 'story' (e.g., 'He wrote a telling about his life' – incorrect).
- Confusing 'telling' (adj.) with 'talented' (e.g., 'a telling pianist' – incorrect).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While it is the -ing form of the verb, it is also a fully independent noun (e.g., 'a vivid telling') and an adjective (e.g., 'a telling remark').
'Storytelling' is the art or activity of telling stories. 'A telling' is a specific instance or account of events, often with an emphasis on its revealing nature.
Yes. As a noun, 'a telling-off' is a reprimand. As an adjective, it is neutral but describes something that reveals truth, which can be positive or negative (e.g., 'a telling flaw').
The verb form is neutral. The noun and adjective forms are more common in slightly formal or literary contexts, but are still used in everyday speech (e.g., 'that's telling!').
The act of relating, narrating, or informing someone of something.
Tellin: in British English it is pronounced /ˈtɛlɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈtɛlɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “There's no telling...”
- “I'm telling you!”
- “telling it like it is”
- “a telling-off”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
TELLING = TELL + ING. Imagine someone is TELLING you something very important, and you are listenING intently. The '-ING' makes it the action or the impactful result.
Conceptual Metaphor
COMMUNICATION IS REVELATION (A 'telling' point reveals hidden truth).
Practice
Quiz
In the phrase 'a telling detail', what does 'telling' mean?