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telltale

[ tel-teyl ]
/ ˈtɛlˌteɪl /
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See synonyms for: telltale / telltales on Thesaurus.com

noun
adjective
that reveals or betrays what is not intended to be known: a telltale blush.
giving notice or warning of something, as a mechanical device.
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Origin of telltale

First recorded in 1540–50; tell1 + tale

OTHER WORDS FROM telltale

telltalely, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use telltale in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for telltale

telltale
/ (ˈtɛlˌteɪl) /

noun
a person who tells tales about others
  1. an outward indication of something concealed
  2. (as modifier)a telltale paw mark
any of various indicators or recording devices used to monitor a process, machine, etc
nautical
  1. another word for dogvane
  2. one of a pair of light vanes mounted on the main shrouds of a sailing boat to indicate the apparent direction of the wind
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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