# telling

/ˈtɛɫɪŋ/ (US) · /tˈɛlɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/telling
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. revealing a hidden truth

adjective · CEFR B2

showing a truth about a situation or person, often without meaning to.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. having a strong effect

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

having a powerful or effective result.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. the act of narrating

noun · CEFR B2

the act of telling a story or describing an event.

For teachers: 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.

### 4. counting

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

the act of counting or numbering things.

For teachers: 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'.

## Examples

- Her nervous smile was a telling sign of her stress.
- The most telling moment of the interview was when the CEO refused to answer questions about the company's debt.
- While the official report was optimistic, the telling silence from the engineering team suggested that the project was far from completion.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.