Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Revealing or indicating something, often unintentionally: A "telltale" sign, mark, or feature is one that clearly shows or betrays the existence or truth of something, especially something meant to be hidden.
   • Serving to expose or disclose: Something described as "telltale" acts as evidence that reveals a fact or situation.

2. Noun:

   • A person who reveals secrets or spreads gossip indiscreetly: A "telltale" is someone, often viewed negatively, who tells private or sensitive information about others.
   • A device or indicator that shows or registers something: A "telltale" can be a mechanical gauge, light, or signal that provides information about the state or operation of a system.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • The muddy footprints were a telltale sign that someone had entered the house.
  • She tried to hide her nervousness, but her telltale trembling hands gave her away.

• Noun:

  • Don't tell him any secrets; he's a known telltale who will tell everyone.
  • The dashboard has a telltale that lights up when the engine oil pressure is low.

Advanced Usage

• "telltale sign": A very common phrase meaning a clear piece of evidence or indicator.

  • The sudden silence was a telltale sign of their guilt.

• "telltale heart": A literary allusion to Edgar Allan Poe's short story, often used to describe a guilty conscience that feels as obvious as a loudly beating heart.

  • His anxiety felt like a telltale heart, pounding as if everyone could hear it.

Variants and Related Words

• Telltales (n, plural): Multiple indicators or gossips.

  • The detective looked for all the telltales of forced entry.

• Tale-telling (n, gerund): The act of being a telltale; revealing secrets.

  • His constant tale-telling made him very unpopular.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Revealing, indicative, betraying, suggestive, disclosive.
• Noun: Informer, tattletale, gossip, blabbermouth, snitch (informal), indicator, gauge.

Antonyms

• Adjective: Concealing, hidden, secretive, unrevealing.
• Noun: Confidant, secret-keeper.

Related Phrases

• "telltale on someone": To inform an authority figure about someone's misbehavior (common in children's speech).

  • If you don't stop, I'm going to telltale on you to the teacher.

• "telltale trail": A series of clues or signs that reveal a path or past action.

  • The detective followed the telltale trail of crumbs to the kitchen.

Adjective

1. disclosing unintentionally
   • a telling smile
   • a telltale panel of lights
   • a telltale patch of oil on the water marked where the boat went down

Noun

1. someone who gossips indiscreetly