tale-telling

tale-telling — noun

1. a person who tells stories for other people to enjoy, especially in an old-fashi

1.nounC1
Definition

a person who tells stories for other people to enjoy, especially in an old-fashioned, literary, or performance setting

Example

By sunset, the tale-telling had gathered every child near the stage.

tale-telling used as a rare human noun

The innkeeper hired a cheerful tale-telling to entertain travellers during the storm.

a tale-telling + to-infinitive

Synonyms
  • storyteller

    the normal modern word for someone who shares stories with an audience

  • narrator

    focuses on the person who relates events, especially in books, films, or recordings

  • raconteur

    more formal and often used for someone who tells lively or amusing stories

Usage Note

Rare and old-fashioned as a noun. Modern English usually prefers tale-teller or storyteller, especially outside literary or historical settings.

2. a person who passes on gossip, rumours, or secrets, often causing trouble for so

2.nounC1
Definition

a person who passes on gossip, rumours, or secrets, often causing trouble for someone else

Example

No one trusted the office tale-telling after Michael shared Aylin's private news.

office tale-telling in a gossip context

At school, Zayd avoided the tale-telling who ran to teachers daily.

the tale-telling + who + clause

Synonyms
  • talebearer

    the closest formal synonym, with a literary or old-fashioned tone

  • gossip

    broader and more common, often about talking about other people's private lives

  • tattletale

    more child-focused and usually about reporting someone to an authority figure

  • informer

    stronger and more serious, often about giving information to authority

Usage Note

Usually disapproving. Compared with sense 1, this meaning focuses on passing on private or harmful information rather than entertaining people with stories.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Tale-telling is an uncommon, slightly old-fashioned label for a person whose role or gift is sharing stories. Storyteller is the natural everyday choice and can describe anyone from a parent reading aloud to a festival performer. Narrator is narrower: it is the voice that relates events in a book, film, or documentary, so it does not always suggest live performance or personal charm. Raconteur is more elegant and usually describes someone who entertains adults with lively or witty stories. You might call a market performer a storyteller, a documentary voice a narrator, and a dinner guest with brilliant travel stories a raconteur.

tale-telling ↗storyteller ↗narrator ↗raconteur

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

Formed in English from tale and telling. As a noun, it developed as a rare variant of tale-teller, first for someone who shares stories and later for someone who passes on gossip or secrets.

First known use

14th century

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1