How to pronounce telltale
Say it like TEL-tayl. Telltale has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TEL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce telltale. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TEL
- tayl
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Telltale pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TELSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- taylGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of telltale
American and British speakers say telltale in essentially the same way: /ˈtɛlˌteɪl/ in the US and /ˈtɛlˌteɪl/ in the UK.
British respelling: TEL-tayl.
What does telltale mean?
- Revealing something, especially something not intended to be known.“I noticed the snow was dirty, a telltale sign of recent human presence.”
- One who divulges private information with intent to hurt others.
- An indicator, such as a warning light, that serves to warn of a hazard or problem.
- Something that serves to reveal something else.“The telltale was the lipstick on his shirt collar.”
Where does telltale come from?
From tell + tale, perhaps dissimilated from earlier taleteller, from Middle English tale tellere (literally “tale teller”).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying telltale
How do you pronounce telltale?
Say TEL-tayl. The American pronunciation is /ˈtɛlˌteɪl/. In British English it is /ˈtɛlˌteɪl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in telltale?
Telltale has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (TEL). Broken into parts: TEL · tayl.
Do Americans and Brits say telltale the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈtɛlˌteɪl/ and the British form is /ˈtɛlˌteɪl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.