telling
- 01 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.
Simple“The way his hands shook was a telling sign that he was very nervous.”
In context“The silence that followed the CEO's question was more telling than any prepared statement the board could have issued.”
SynonymsAntonymsunrevealinginsignificant - 02 C1 Advanced
adj.having a powerful or effective result.
adj.producing a marked or powerful effect; carrying significant weight or force.
Simple“The lawyer made several telling points that changed the jury's mind.”
In context“The striker's late substitution proved telling as he scored the winning goal within minutes of entering the pitch.”
Antonyms - 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the act of telling a story or describing an event.
n.the act of narrating or recounting a sequence of events.
Simple“The film is a modern telling of a very old folk story.”
In context“In the latest telling of the myth, the author focuses on the perspective of the traditionally silent female characters.”
Synonyms - 04 C2 Proficiency
n.the act of counting or numbering things.
n.the act of counting, numbering, or calculating a total.
Simple“The old man spent his evening in the telling of his coins.”
In context“The meticulous telling of the flock ensured that no sheep had been lost to the mountain pass during the storm.”
UsageRarely used in modern English except in specific historical contexts or fixed phrases like 'the telling of beads'.
Synonyms
Usage telling a story · telling people
Gerund from the verb tell, from tell + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.