vt.

1. 告訴；講述，說[O1][O5][O6][（+about/of/to）]
   He told us how the accident happened.

   他告訴我們那次事故是怎麼發生的。

   She told me that she would be back in an hour.

   她告訴我她一個小時內就會回來。

   Did he tell you when to start out?

   他有沒有告訴你什麼時候出發？

   I told her my telephone number before we parted.

   我們分手前，我把電話號碼告訴了她。

2. 吩咐，命令[O2][O6]
   Tell him not to come tomorrow.

   叫他明天別來。

   I told her to wait.

   我叫她等一等。

3. 顯示，顯露[O5][O6]
   She cracked a smile that told her joy.

   她綻出笑容，顯露內心的歡樂。

4. 識別；辨別[O5][O6][O][（+from/apart）]
   I really can't tell which is which.

   我實在看不出哪個是哪個。

5. （常用過去時）忠告，警告[Y][O2][+（that）]
   I told you not to do that, and now look what's happened!

   我警告過你不要幹此事，你瞧現在出事了。

6. 向……告發[（+on）]

vi.

1. 講述[（+of/about）]
   The book tells of his sister's life in Japan.

   這本書談及他妹妹在日本的生活情況。

2. 識別；判定
   It's too early to tell.

   現在要作出判斷為時過早。

3. 產生效果；發生影響[（+on）]
   Strain began to tell on his health.

   過度勞累開始影響他的健康。

4. 【口】告發[（+on）]

v.

1. communicate information to.
   ▸instruct (someone) to do something.
   ▸relate (a story).
   ▸reveal (information) in a non-verbal way:

   the figures tell a different story.
   ▸divulge confidential information.
   ▸ (tell on) informal inform someone of the misdemeanours of.
   ▸ (tell someone off) informal reprimand someone.
2. determine correctly or with certainty.
   ▸perceive (a distinction).
3. (often tell on) (of an experience) have a noticeable effect on someone.
   ▸(of a factor) play a part in the success or otherwise of someone or something:

   lack of fitness told against him.
4. chiefly archaic count (the members of a group).

n.