How to Pronounce Tell

To pronounce "tell", say TELL — one syllable, IPA /tɛl/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

tell

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

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Speed

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Syllable

Letters

/tɛl/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “tell”

"tell" is a single-syllable word — say it in one clean beat. It rhymes with compel and propel, if that helps it stick.

Sounds exactly like: tel — easy to mix up when writing.

What does tell mean?

noun

A reflexive, often habitual behavior, especially one occurring in a context that often features attempts at deception by persons under psychological stress (such as a poker game or police interrogation), that reveals information that the person exhibiting the behavior is attempting to withhold.
That which is told; a tale or account.

verb

(archaic outside of idioms) To count, reckon, or enumerate.
“All told, there were over a dozen. Can you tell time on a clock? He had untold wealth.”
To narrate.
“I want to tell a story; I want to tell you a story.”

Synonyms

count number grass up snitch tattle narrate recount relate

Antonyms

ask

Words that rhyme with tell

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

compel propel impel quell citadel ravel swell dwell shell cell expel parallel

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "tell"?▾

"Tell" has one syllable.

What is the IPA transcription of "tell"?▾

The IPA transcription of "tell" is /tɛl/.

What does "tell" mean?▾

Tell: A reflexive, often habitual behavior, especially one occurring in a context that often features attempts at deception by persons under psychological stress (such as a poker game or police interrogation), that reveals information that the person exhibiting the behavior is attempting to withhold.

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