tell

/tel/ verb (past tense and past participle told)

Definition

SAY [T] › to say something to someone, usually giving them information: He told me about his new school. [+ (that)] Sally told me that the play didn't start until 9 o'clock. [+ question word] Can you tell me what time the next bus leaves?

tell sb to do sth › to order someone to do something: I told you to stay here.

can tell › to know or recognize something from what you hear, see, etc: [+ (that)] You could tell that he was tired. [+ question word] You can never tell whether Hajime's being serious or not. I can't tell the difference between them.

UNDERSTAND FROM [T] › If something tells you something, it gives you information: What does the survey tell us about the lives of teenagers?

(I'll) tell you what › used to suggest a plan: Tell you what, let's go swimming and then get a pizza.

EFFECT [I] › to have a bad effect on someone: The worry of the last few months was starting to tell on him.

(I) told you so! informal › used when someone has caused problems for themselves by doing something that you told them not to → See also tell sb's fortune

(Definition of tell verb from the Cambridge Learner's Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)