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.

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

The telling of a story or of something that has happened is the reporting of it to other people. He sat quietly through the telling of this saga.

1. having force or effect; effective; striking: a telling blow. 2. indicative of much otherwise unnoticed; revealing: a telling analysis.

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

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.

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.

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.

Her experience is/provides a telling example of why the nation's educational system needs to be changed. The most telling moment in the case was when the victim took the stand.