third-person singular verb
Gives information to someone by speaking or writing.
She tells me the news.
The guide tells visitors about the museum.
American English
How to pronounce tells
verbA2Very common word
TʰEHLZ
/tʰɛlz/
One syllable.
Form of tell
Tells is used with he, she, it, and singular nouns in the present tense.
Gives information to someone by speaking or writing.
Practice out loudMeanings & examples
third-person singular verb
Gives someone an instruction or strong advice about what to do.
The nurse tells him to sit down.
My coach tells us not to give up.
third-person singular verb
Shares a story, joke, or personal experience by speaking.
She tells a funny story at dinner.
He tells jokes at parties.
third-person singular verb
Recognizes the difference between things or understands something from what is seen or heard.
She tells the difference between the two colors.
This test tells whether the battery works.
Useful expressions
say what is true
Please tell the truth.
recognize the difference between two people or things
I can never tell these brothers apart.
inform a person in authority that someone did something wrong, usually to get that person in trouble
Don’t tell on me to the teacher.
Related words & forms
The past and past participle are told. The -ing form is telling, with double l.