telling
/ˈtelɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · [tˈɛlɪŋ] /ˈtelɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · [tˈɛlɪŋ] /ˈte-liŋ How to pronounce telling (audio)/ (ame, mw)
telling — adjective
- tellingpositive
- more tellingcomparative
- most tellingsuperlative
1. making the true facts or feelings easy to notice, often through a small sign rat
making the true facts or feelings easy to notice, often through a small sign rather than direct words
Ingrid's silence at dinner was more telling than her angry email.
be telling about true feelings
The muddy shoes were a telling sign that James had left early.
telling sign + that-clause
A telling pause followed the question about who broke the window.
Mauricio's quick glance at the clock was a telling detail.
- revealing
closest word, often more direct about hidden information becoming known
- suggestive
weaker, usually hinting at something rather than showing it clearly
- expressive
usually used for faces, voices, or movements that show feeling
文法句型
a telling sign that-clause
a telling pause
be telling about someone's feelings
用法筆記
Frequently used for a detail, pause, look, or silence that lets people see the truth without a direct statement. Distinguish it from adjective/2, which stresses strong effect instead of revelation.
2. having a strong effect or giving powerful support to a point or argument
having a strong effect or giving powerful support to a point or argument
Rohan's quiet joke made a telling point about the unfair rule.
telling point = strong supporting point
The late goal was a telling blow to the home team.
Selim offered one telling example that changed the whole meeting.
Aaron's calm reply had a telling effect on the angry crowd.
- effective
broader everyday word for producing the wanted result
- persuasive
focuses more on convincing people than on general impact
- forceful
stresses strength and energy, sometimes more direct or aggressive
- ineffective
fails to produce the intended result or impact
- weak
suggests little force or little influence
- unconvincing
specifically fails to persuade
文法句型
a telling point
a telling blow to someone
have a telling effect on something
用法筆記
Frequently used with nouns such as point, effect, example, statistic, and blow. Distinguish it from adjective/1, where telling reveals hidden truth rather than emphasizing force.