Telling Definition & Meaning

telling
adjective
  1. disclosing unintentionally; "a telling smile"; "a telltale panel of lights"; "a telltale patch of oil on the water marked where the boat went down"
  2. powerfully persuasive; "a cogent argument"; "a telling presentation"; "a weighty argument"
  3. producing a strong effect; "gave an impressive performance as Othello"; "a telling gesture"
noun
  1. an act of narration; "he was the hero according to his own relation"; "his endless recounting of the incident eventually became unbearable"
  2. informing by words
  3. disclosing information or giving evidence about another

Synonyms for telling

cogent adj

powerfully persuasive; "a cogent argument"; "a telling presentation"; "a weighty argument"

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effective adj

producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect

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effectual adj

producing or capable of producing an intended result or having a striking effect

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efficacious adj

marked by qualities giving the power to produce an intended effect

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forceful adj

characterized by or full of force or strength (often but not necessarily physical); "a forceful speaker

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impressive adj

making a strong or vivid impression; "an impressive ceremony" producing a strong effect

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informative adj

tending to increase knowledge or dissipate ignorance; "an enlightening glimpse of government in action

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informatory adj

providing or conveying information

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notification noun

an accusation of crime made by a grand jury on its own initiative informing by words a request for payment

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notifying
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"Telling" in song lyrics

See how telling is used in real songs:

  • "Got me heated like my engine running, and there's no telling"
    Buddha Monk f/ Juice, Preacherman — As the World Turns
  • "Just doing my thing and he also telling"
    Flesh-N-Bone f/ Kurupt — Kurupted Flesh
  • "Ay, there ain't no telling"
    J. Cole — Grown Simba

Words that rhyme with telling

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Usage tips for "telling"

Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "telling" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for telling to find words that pair well.

Use "telling" in a verse

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♫ Rhymes with telling ↔ Synonyms for telling 🔬 Words containing telling

Frequently asked questions

What does telling mean?
disclosing unintentionally; "a telling smile"; "a telltale panel of lights"; "a telltale patch of oil on the water marked where the boat went down" powerfully persuasive; "a cogent argument"; "a telling presentation"; "a weighty argument" producing a strong effect; "gave an impressive performance as Othello"; "a telling gesture" an act of narration; "he was the hero according to his own relation
What part of speech is telling?
Telling is an adjective and a noun.
How many definitions does telling have?
Telling has 6 definitions across 2 parts of speech (adjective, noun).

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