Phrase guide

tell time

verb · 2 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

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To measure time, to determine the current time.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • Ancient civilizations told time at night by the passage of stars.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: keep time

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To read the time as displayed on an analog clock.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: specifically

Examples

  • He couldn't tell time until he was in his teens.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From tell in the sense of “count”.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • French: donner l'heure — to measure time
  • French: chronométrer — to measure time
  • French: donner l'heure — to read a clock
  • French: dire l'heure — to read a clock
  • Portuguese: ler as horas — to read a clock