tell

A2 · Elementary

v. to order or instruct someone to do something.

v. to instruct or command someone to perform an action. Usually followed by an object and a to-infinitive.

Español:decir

“The teacher told the students to sit down and be quiet.”

“The doctor told her to avoid heavy lifting until the injury had fully healed.”

B1 · Intermediate

v. to be able to see or know the difference between two things.

v. to distinguish or discern between different things or people. Often used with 'can' or 'could'.

“The twins look so similar that I can never tell them apart.”

“It was difficult to tell whether the painting was an original or a very high-quality reproduction.”

B1 · Intermediate Informal

v. to tell someone a secret that you were supposed to keep.

v. to disclose confidential information or report someone's misconduct. Often used intransitively in informal contexts.

“I promised not to tell, but I think he needs to know the truth.”

“The child threatened to tell on his sister after she broke their mother's favorite vase.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Informal

n. a small action or sign that shows what someone is really thinking or feeling.

n. an unconscious action or behavior that reveals a person's true feelings or intentions, especially when they are trying to deceive.

“His nervous tapping on the table was a clear tell that he was lying.”

“Professional poker players spend years learning to hide any physical tell that might reveal the strength of their hand.”

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Science Technical

n. a hill made of the remains of ancient buildings and towns.

n. an artificial mound formed by the accumulated remains of ancient settlements, common in Middle Eastern archaeology.

Español:tell

“The archaeologists began digging at the base of the ancient tell.”

“Excavations at the tell revealed several distinct layers of habitation dating back to the Bronze Age.”