tale

American  

[teyl] / teɪl /

noun

1. a narrative that relates the details of some real or imaginary event, incident, or case; story.

   a tale about Lincoln's dog.

2. a literary composition having the form of such a narrative.

3. a falsehood; lie.

4. a rumor or piece of gossip, often malicious or untrue.

5. the full number or amount.

6. Archaic. enumeration; count.

7. Obsolete. talk; discourse.

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tale British  

/ teɪl /

noun

1. a report, narrative, or story

2. one of a group of short stories connected by an overall narrative framework

3. 1. a malicious or meddlesome rumour or piece of gossip

      to bear tales against someone

   2. ( in combination )

      talebearer

      taleteller

4. a fictitious or false statement

5. 1. to tell fanciful lies

   2. to report malicious stories, trivial complaints, etc, esp to someone in authority

6. to reveal something important

7. to be self-evident

8. archaic

   1. a number; amount

   2. computation or enumeration

9. an obsolete word for talk

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tale Idioms  

1. see old wives' tale; tall tale; tell tales; thereby hangs a tale.

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Etymology

Origin of tale

before 900; Middle English; Old English talu series, list, narrative, story; cognate with Dutch taal speech, language, German Zahl number, Old Norse tala number, speech. See tell ¹

Explanation

A tale is a story, especially one that's full of creative embellishments. You can read a tale from a book, or tell a bedtime tale to the kids you're babysitting. Tales can be true or fictional, but they generally consist of a narrative, with a beginning and an end, made more interesting and exciting with vivid details. Some tales are meant to teach specific lessons (like your family's history or your community's values), while others simply relay a funny story. Tale can also mean "lie," like when your mom asks, "You're not telling a tale, are you?"

Example Sentences

Anna Van Patten, who starred with sister Grace in The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox, is joining the cast for the new season.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

Appeared in the February 18, 2026, print edition as 'HBO’s Sordid Kentucky Tale'.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 17, 2026

The mansion’s availability is part of a celebration of 35 years by Disney’s Fair Tale Weddings and Honeymoons.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 4, 2026

Taiwanese film "A Foggy Tale" set during the island's "White Terror" political purges decades ago leads the race with 11 nods, including best film, best director, best actor and best actress.

From Barron's • Nov. 22, 2025

Poor Leo was like the young prince in The Winter’s Tale, thought Joseph, or the Little Match Girl.

From "The Marvels" by Brian Selznick

Related Words

• account
• anecdote
• fable
• fiction
• legend
• myth
• narrative
• novel
• short story
• yarn