The meaning of TELLING is carrying great weight and producing a marked effect : effective, expressive. How to use telling in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Telling.

1. having force or effect; effective; striking: a telling blow. 2. indicative of much otherwise unnoticed; revealing: a telling analysis.

TELLING definition: 1. showing the truth about a situation or showing what someone really thinks: 2. showing the truth…. Learn more.

TELLING meaning: 1 : producing a strong or important effect; 2 : giving information about someone or something without intending to

TELL definition: to give an account or narrative of; narrate; relate (a story, tale, etc.). See examples of tell used in a sentence.

If something is telling, it shows the true nature of a person or situation. It was her expression that was the most telling. How a man shaves may be a telling clue to his age.

to narrate (a story, etc.) to (someone): [~ + object] He told a story to the children. [~ + object + object] He told the children a story. [no object] The story tells of the legend of King Arthur.

telling definition: disclosure of information to others. Check meanings, examples, usage tips, pronunciation, domains, and related words. Discover expressions like "no telling", "telling blow", …

Dec 11, 2025 · telling (comparative more telling, superlative most telling) Having force, or having a marked effect; weighty, effective.

If you reveal something without meaning to, that's telling as well: "The look on his face was telling." This adjective dates from the mid-1800s, from the verb tell and its sense of "to reveal or disclose."