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 a marked effect or impact: a telling blow. 2. revealing: a telling smile.

The telling of a story or of something that has happened is the reporting of it to other people.

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

TELLING definition: having force or effect; effective; striking. See examples of telling used in a sentence.

Definition of telling adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

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

The word 'telling' comes from the Old English 'tellan', which meant to count, relate, or explain. In Middle English, it evolved to refer to revealing or narrating events, linking it to storytelling.

telling meaning, definition, what is telling: having a great or important effect: Learn more.

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.