telltale

USAGE SUMMARY

“telltale” is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is usually used as an adjective to describe signs or situations that indicate or prove something. For example, "The telltale signs of a broken heart were all over her face."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not surprising since the Versace villa is just along the road - look out for the telltale Medusa heads on the doors.

The Guardian - Travel

His BBC file was rumoured to bear the telltale Special Branch Christmas tree alert.

The Guardian

While he was "dry-eyed" writing the poems, "when I've been on the road reading them there were, especially early on, moments when I had that telltale catch in the voice.

The Guardian

Today, the receding water has left telltale white rings more than 30 metres up on the rock canyon walls.

The Guardian

Schoolchildren could get involved to record how telltale words such as bath are pronounced in their area, Ranft says.

The Guardian

Certainly it bears the telltale signs of Moscow's involvement," Power told ABC's This Week programme.

The Guardian

They knew, from looking at the teeth of modern animals such as hyenas, cheetahs and African lions, that meals consumed during the last few weeks of an animal's life leave telltale marks behind.In modern cheetahs, which are exceptionally picky (they eat only tender meat and rarely use their slender teeth to break bones), those marks are smooth and linear.

The Economist

Buildings with unrepaired roofs, abandoned water wells and well-trodden new paths that appear circuitous also provide telltale signs.An alternative system using photographs taken by aircraft is used by the Croatian Mine Action Centre (CROMAC), a government agency in Sisak, a town southwest of Zagreb.

The Economist

As cosmic particles enter the atmosphere and bump into atoms of air, water, ice, rock or anything else that happens to stand in their way, they trigger telltale cascades of other particles.

The Economist

Unlike modern bats, though, their bodies lacked the telltale bony structures that would permit them to echolocate flying prey.

The Economist

Visitors sceptical of his strangely smooth skin would be invited to check behind his ears for the telltale signs of a facelift.Some thought his strange appearance exemplified the cost of battling the years.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "telltale" to describe subtle signs that reveal something not immediately obvious. It adds a sense of discovery to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "telltale" to describe something that is already obvious or blatant. "Telltale" implies a subtle revelation, not an outright display. For example, instead of saying "The telltale sign was the broken window", consider it only if the broken window was initially unnoticed or its significance was not immediately clear.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "telltale" is that of an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something that reveals or indicates information, often something not immediately obvious. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's often used to describe a sign that uncovers something hidden.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "telltale" functions primarily as an adjective used to describe signs that reveal something, especially something hidden or not immediately obvious. Ludwig AI confirms it as correct and usable in written English. Its neutral register and frequent appearance in news and media sources make it a versatile term. When using "telltale", ensure you are referring to subtle clues rather than blatant signs, and consider alternatives like "revealing" or "indicative" for slight variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

revealing

Focuses on the act of making something known, omitting the sense of inadvertent disclosure.

indicative

Highlights the function of pointing something out, rather than the revealing aspect.

suggestive

Implies a hint or a clue, less direct than "telltale".

exhibitory

Stresses demonstration, often in a more formal context.

demonstrative

Highlights the act of clearly showing something; "telltale" often has an implication of revealing the hidden.

symptomatic

Focuses on something being a symptom of a larger issue, which is not always implied by "telltale".

disclosing

More about actively revealing as opposed to something naturally revealing it.

significant

Emphasizes importance rather than revelation.

manifest

Highlights clarity and obviousness, unlike the subtle unveiling of "telltale".

denotative

Concentrates on the literal meaning, missing the subtle nuance of revelation.

FAQs

How can "telltale" be used in a sentence?

You can use "telltale" to describe something that reveals information, such as "The "telltale sign" was the mud on his shoes" or "The "telltale mark" indicated the presence of a hidden door".

What words are similar to "telltale"?

Similar words include "revealing", "indicative", and "suggestive". These words share the idea of uncovering or indicating something.

Is it correct to say "a telltale sign"?

Yes, ""telltale sign"" is a common and correct usage. It describes a sign that reveals something, often something hidden or not immediately apparent.

What's the difference between "telltale" and "obvious"?

"Telltale" implies a subtle sign that reveals something not immediately known, while "obvious" refers to something easily seen or understood. A ""telltale sign"" requires interpretation, whereas an obvious sign does not.