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telling

2 syllables

Quick answer

As an adjective, telling means having force, or having a marked effect. As a noun, it means the act of narration.

Meanings of telling

12 meanings

Present participle of tell

Having force, or having a marked effect; weighty, effective.
“a telling blow”
Revealing information; bearing significance.
“a telling smile”
Serving to convince.
“telling evidence”
Disclosing unintentionally something concealed
“a telling smile”
“a telltale panel of lights”
“a telltale patch of oil on the water marked where the boat went down”
Similar: revealing, telltale
Powerfully persuasive
“a cogent argument”
“a telling presentation”
“a weighty argument”
Similar: cogent, weighty
Producing a strong effect
“gave an impressive performance as Othello”
“a telling gesture”
Similar: impressive

The act of narration.
The disclosure of information.
usually in the negativeAbility to determine.
Informing by words
Similar: apprisal, notification
Disclosing information or giving evidence about another
Similar: tattle, singing