telltale

Meaning

Noun

1. One who divulges private information with intent to hurt others.
2. An indicator, such as a warning light, that serves to warn of a hazard or problem.
3. (figuratively) Something that serves to reveal something else.
4. A movable piece of ivory, lead, or other material, connected to the bellows of an organ, whose position indicates when the wind is exhausted.
5. A length of yarn or ribbon attached to a sail or shroud etc to indicate the direction of the flow of the air relative to the boat.
6. A mechanical attachment to the steering wheel, which, in the absence of a tiller, shows the position of the helm.
7. A compass in the cabin of a vessel, usually placed where the captain can see it at all hours, and thus inform himself of the vessel's course.
8. A machine or contrivance for indicating or recording something, particularly for keeping a check upon employees (factory hands, watchmen, drivers, etc.) by revealing to their employers what they have done or omitted.
9. A bird, the tattler.
10. A story or fable that has a moral or message.

Adj

Revealing something, especially something not intended to be known.

Synonyms

tattler

gossip

informer

tattletale

snitcher

squealer

talebearer

taleteller

revealing

eloquent

blabbermouth

newsmonger

telling

gossiper

slanderer

talebearing

marker

monitor

open-and-shut

palpable

plain

pointer

reporter

right

scandalmonger

scope

significant

sneak

snitch

sober

solved

undisguised

viewer

visible

blabby

rumourmonger

rumormonger

unintoxicated

blabbermouthed

uninebriated

indicating gage

index mark

indicator scale

tale bearer

indicating unit

indicated device

glass runner

sighting marker

rear finder

indicated meter

Translations

rapporteur

verräterisch

Klatschbase

babbelaar

revelador

prater

praatvaar

muhbir

cafteur

babillard

bavard

revelador

kletskous

ratel

ispiyoncu

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈtɛlteɪl/

Etymology

From tell + tale, perhaps dissimilated from earlier taleteller, from Middle English tale tellere (literally “tale teller”).