Word
telling
US/ˈtɛɫɪŋ/
UK/tˈɛlɪŋ/
Definitions
01revealing a hidden truth
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. showing a truth about a situation or person, often without meaning to.
adj. revealing significant information or exposing a hidden reality, often through a small or subtle detail.
“The way his hands shook was a telling sign that he was very nervous.”
“The silence that followed the CEO's question was more telling than any prepared statement the board could have issued.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
02having a strong effect
C1 · Advanced Formal
adj. having a powerful or effective result.
adj. producing a marked or powerful effect; carrying significant weight or force.
“The lawyer made several telling points that changed the jury's mind.”
“The striker's late substitution proved telling as he scored the winning goal within minutes of entering the pitch.”
Antonyms
03the act of narrating
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun
n. the act of telling a story or describing an event.
n. the act of narrating or recounting a sequence of events.
“The film is a modern telling of a very old folk story.”
“In the latest telling of the myth, the author focuses on the perspective of the traditionally silent female characters.”
Synonyms
04counting
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Archaic
n. the act of counting or numbering things.
n. the act of counting, numbering, or calculating a total.
“The old man spent his evening in the telling of his coins.”
“The meticulous telling of the flock ensured that no sheep had been lost to the mountain pass during the storm.”
Usage
Rarely used in modern English except in specific historical contexts or fixed phrases like 'the telling of beads'.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “telling” in context.
Real-World Examples
“This would help the people making split-second calls on a fireline understand and trust what a model is telling them.” “The results of our survey are very telling.” “We have to understand what these figures are telling us.” Etymology
Gerund from the verb tell, from tell + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Idioms
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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