vt.

1. 告诉；讲述，说[O1][O5][O6][（+about/of/to）]
   He told us how the accident happened.

   他告诉我们那次事故是怎么发生的。

   She told me that she would be back in an hour.

   她告诉我她一个小时内就会回来。

   Did he tell you when to start out?

   他有没有告诉你什么时候出发？

   I told her my telephone number before we parted.

   我们分手前，我把电话号码告诉了她。

2. 吩咐，命令[O2][O6]
   Tell him not to come tomorrow.

   叫他明天别来。

   I told her to wait.

   我叫她等一等。

3. 显示，显露[O5][O6]
   She cracked a smile that told her joy.

   她绽出笑容，显露内心的欢乐。

4. 识别；辨别[O5][O6][O][（+from/apart）]
   I really can't tell which is which.

   我实在看不出哪个是哪个。

5. （常用过去时）忠告，警告[Y][O2][+（that）]
   I told you not to do that, and now look what's happened!

   我警告过你不要干此事，你瞧现在出事了。

6. 向……告发[（+on）]

vi.

1. 讲述[（+of/about）]
   The book tells of his sister's life in Japan.

   这本书谈及他妹妹在日本的生活情况。

2. 识别；判定
   It's too early to tell.

   现在要作出判断为时过早。

3. 产生效果；发生影响[（+on）]
   Strain began to tell on his health.

   过度劳累开始影响他的健康。

4. 【口】告发[（+on）]

v.

1. communicate information to.
   ▸instruct (someone) to do something.
   ▸relate (a story).
   ▸reveal (information) in a non-verbal way:

   the figures tell a different story.
   ▸divulge confidential information.
   ▸ (tell on) informal inform someone of the misdemeanours of.
   ▸ (tell someone off) informal reprimand someone.
2. determine correctly or with certainty.
   ▸perceive (a distinction).
3. (often tell on) (of an experience) have a noticeable effect on someone.
   ▸(of a factor) play a part in the success or otherwise of someone or something:

   lack of fitness told against him.
4. chiefly archaic count (the members of a group).

n.