# told

/ˈtoʊɫd/ (US) · /tˈəʊld/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/told
Updated: 2026-06-22

## Senses

### 1. past of tell

verb · CEFR A1

the past form of 'tell', used when you gave someone information or instructions.

For teachers: the simple past and past participle of 'tell', used to report speech or information provided to a recipient.

- She told me the news as soon as she arrived at the office.
- The witness told the jury a consistent story, though the prosecutor remained skeptical of the finer details.

Usage: Takes a direct personal object without 'to'.

## Examples

- She told me the truth about the meeting.
- The pilot told the passengers to remain seated while the aircraft was taxiing to the gate.
- Having been told of the impending weather front, the captain decided to reroute the flight to ensure the safety and comfort of everyone on board.

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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.