Definition

1. Verb (past tense of ):
   • Past tense of "tell": "told" is the simple past and past participle form of the verb "tell," meaning to communicate information, facts, or a story to someone verbally or in writing.
   • To narrate or recount: used when someone relates a sequence of events or a story.
   • To inform or instruct: used when someone gives an order, advice, or specific information.

Usage Examples

• Past tense:

  • She told me the truth about the incident. (She communicated the factual information to me.)
  • He told a fascinating story about his travels. (He narrated an interesting account of his journeys.)

• Past participle:

  • I have told you many times to be careful. (I have given you the instruction repeatedly.)
  • The secret was told to everyone in the office. (The confidential information was communicated to all staff.)

Advanced Usage

• "told off": to be reprimanded or scolded severely.

  • The manager told him off for being late. (The manager scolded him for arriving after the scheduled time.)

• "all told": meaning in total or when everything is considered.

  • All told, we had twenty guests at the party. (When counting everyone, there were twenty guests.)

Variants and Related Words

• Telling (adj): having a noticeable effect or significance.

  • The telling detail in the painting revealed the artist's skill. (The significant small part showed the artist's ability.)

• Retold (adj): narrated again or in a different form.

  • The ancient myth was retold in a modern novel. (The old story was recounted in a contemporary book.)

Synonyms

• Related: recounted, narrated, informed, instructed, stated.
• Informed: to have given someone knowledge or facts.
  • She informed us about the schedule change. (She told us about the new timetable.)

Phrasal Verbs

• Tell on: to inform against someone, especially to an authority.

  • The child told on his brother for breaking the vase. (The child reported his brother's action to a parent.)

• Tell apart: to distinguish between two or more things.

  • It is hard to tell the twins apart. (It is difficult to differentiate between the two siblings.)

Related Idioms

• "I told you so": used to remind someone that one had previously warned them of a consequence.

  • After the project failed, he said, "I told you so." (He reminded them that he had predicted the failure.)

• "Time will tell": the truth or outcome will become known in the future.

  • Whether the plan works, time will tell. (The future will reveal if the plan is successful.)