Phrase guide

tell a story

verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To communicate a story in some way.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: ambitransitive, literally

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To display qualities which hint at or convey a past or history which is not explicitly told.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: figuratively, intransitive, poetic

Examples

  • Every person's eyes tell their own story.
  • The bullet holes in the walls of these buildings tell a story of a more tumultuous time...

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

To lie; to tell a lie

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.