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“Tel” or “Tell”

tel / tell are similar-sounding terms with different meanings (referred to as homophones). To better understand the differences, see below for definitions, pronunciation guides, and example sentences using each term.

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Definitions

What each term means

Same sound, different spellings and meanings, shown with a pronunciation guide for each term.

tel t·EH·l

No dictionary entry for this spelling — see the usage examples below for how it shows up in writing.

tell t·EH·l

  • nouna Swiss patriot who lived in the early 14th century and who was renowned for his skill as an archer; according to legend an Austrian governor compelled him to shoot an apple from his son's head with his crossbow (which he did successfully without mishap).
  • verblet something be known.
  • verbnarrate or give a detailed account of.
  • verbdiscern or comprehend.
  • verbgive evidence.
Usage

Examples in context

Real sentences for each spelling. Hover an example to copy it.

“tel”

  • …were intending to advance toward Tel Aviv, which most historians agree…
  • …with several hundred vehicles and Tel Aviv stood only about 250…
  • …planning to drive on to Tel Aviv.
  • …eventually delayed their drive on Tel Aviv.
  • …the funeral for Khazan in Tel Aviv on 17 April attracted…
  • …were to be placed at Tel Nof (Eqron Airbase).
  • …three possibilities: A march on Tel Aviv, about northwards—the view adopted…
  • …after defeating Kuwait City and Tel Aviv.
  • …planning to advance northward toward Tel Aviv, and whether or not…
  • …whereas the Jewish city of Tel Aviv relied on the nearby…

“tell”

  • …Adama takes a moment to tell the crew that he has…
  • Arum would also tell the Las Vegas Review-Journal, "There's…
  • …and doesn't know how to tell Cora.
  • …Theatre: People from an audience tell stories of their lives, which…
  • …Each Other" and "What'll I Tell Virginia."
  • …I had something important to tell them.
  • Apollo says he will tell Dee about the new situation…
  • …song and decided to simply tell the story of their recording…
  • …two gossips call Cora to tell her, which re-ignites the argument.
  • …wanted to avoid having to tell international broadcasters how to pronounce…

Examples are Wikipedia snippets under the CC ShareAlike 3.0 license. Definitions are drawn from WordNet.

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