1 telltale | Definition of telltale
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telltale

noun
tell·​tale | \ ˈtel-ˌtāl How to pronounce telltale (audio) \

Definition of telltale

1a : an outward sign : indication
b : talebearer, informer
2 : a device for indicating or recording something: such as
a : a wind-direction indicator often in the form of a ribbon
b : a strip of metal on the front wall of a racquets or squash court above which the ball must be hit
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Other Words from telltale

telltale adjective

Examples of telltale in a Sentence

the media's professional telltales have basically decided that today's celebrities have no right to privacy the department telltale told the boss that his coworkers were taking extra long breaks

Recent Examples on the Web

 That’s a telltale for the approach on the culinary business for me. — Kristine M. Kierzek, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Chef trained in many kitchens before landing at I.d.," 15 May 2018 And nobody is closer to these telltales - and the people who fuel them - than Lisa Fair, Chico Lewis and Roger Lowe. — Mark Naymik, cleveland.com, "Politicians need to take note of needles and ZIP codes in opioid crisis: Mark Naymik," 26 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'telltale.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of telltale

1548, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

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More Definitions for telltale

telltale

adjective
tell·​tale | \ ˈtel-ˌtāl How to pronounce telltale (audio) \

Kids Definition of telltale

: indicating or giving evidence of something … she figured the telltale signs of crying would have disappeared by the time she got to her grandmother's house.— Kevin Henkes, Olive's Ocean

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More from Merriam-Webster on telltale

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with telltale

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for telltale

Spanish Central: Translation of telltale

Nglish: Translation of telltale for Spanish Speakers

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