telltale
gb/tˈɛltˌeɪl/ us/tˈɛltˌeɪl/
B2
English
árulkodó, árulkodó jel, árulkodó nyom, visszajelző, áramlásjelző szál, széljelző szál, szivárgásjelző furat, jelzőfurat
B2
1
árulkodó
B2
Usage pattern:
telltale + [sign/mark/smile/sound/trace]
The telltale smell of smoke clung to his jacket.
A füst árulkodó szaga a kabátjához tapadt.
A telltale hesitation in her voice suggested she wasn’t being honest.
A hangjában lévő árulkodó habozás arra utalt, hogy nem őszinte.
The detective noticed telltale scratches around the lock.
Learner examples
His telltale smile showed he knew the secret.
Árulkodó mosolya elárulta, hogy ismeri a titkot.
These are telltale signs of stress.
Ezek a stressz árulkodó jelei.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse telltale (revealing) with truthful (honest).
Meaning
revealing something hidden
Collocations
telltale sign
|telltale marks
|telltale evidence
|telltale symptoms
|a telltale smile
|a telltale pause
|telltale bruises
|telltale traces
|telltale smell
|telltale sound
Synonyms
revealing (General synonym; less vivid than telltale.)
|
indicative (More formal; often used in technical or analytical contexts.)
|
unmistakable (Stronger; emphasizes clarity rather than the act of giving something away.)
Antonyms
inconclusive (Does not clearly show what is true.)
|
misleading (Gives a false impression rather than revealing the truth.)
Themes
communication
|observation
|emotions
Definition
If something is telltale, it clearly shows that something else is true.
Showing or suggesting the presence of something, especially something hidden, secret, or not intended to be noticed.
NOUN
C1
2
árulkodó jel
B2
Usage pattern:
a telltale (of [something])
The muddy footprints were a telltale that someone had been in the house.
A sáros lábnyomok árulkodó nyomai voltak annak, hogy valaki járt a házban.
A sudden change in tone can be a telltale of irritation.
A hangnem hirtelen megváltozása az ingerültség árulkodó jele lehet.
The empty bottle was the telltale the manager needed.
Learner examples
The noise was a telltale that someone was there.
A zaj árulkodó jele volt annak, hogy valaki ott van.
Common mistake:
Often used as an adjective (telltale sign) rather than as a standalone noun.
Meaning
a sign that reveals something
Collocations
a telltale of deception
|a telltale of illness
|a telltale for trouble
|the telltale was obvious
|spot a telltale
Synonyms
clue (Common and broad; does not necessarily imply something was unintentionally revealed.)
|
indicator (Neutral and often used in measured or analytical contexts.)
|
giveaway (More informal; emphasizes unintended revelation.)
Antonyms
red herring (A misleading sign that points in the wrong direction.)
Themes
observation
|communication
Definition
A telltale is something that shows a hidden fact.
A clue, sign, or piece of evidence that reveals something, especially something hidden or not directly stated.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
3
visszajelző
B1
Usage pattern:
[system] telltale (light)
The red oil-pressure telltale came on as she accelerated.
Gyorsítás közben kigyulladt a piros olajnyomás-visszajelző.
If the airbag telltale stays lit, have the system checked.
Ha a légzsák-visszajelző égve marad, ellenőriztesse a rendszert.
A flashing telltale can indicate a serious fault.
Learner examples
A warning telltale lit up on the dashboard.
Egy figyelmeztető visszajelző gyulladt ki a műszerfalon.
Common mistake:
In everyday speech people usually say 'warning light' rather than 'telltale'.
Meaning
dashboard warning light
Collocations
warning telltale
|indicator telltale
|ABS telltale
|engine telltale
|oil-pressure telltale
|charge telltale
|brake telltale
|airbag telltale
|illumination of the telltale
|the telltale comes on
Synonyms
warning light (More common in everyday English.)
|
indicator light (Neutral; focuses on showing status, not only warnings.)
Antonyms
blank display (No light or indication is shown.)
Themes
transport
|technology
Definition
A telltale is a small light that warns you about a vehicle problem.
A small warning or indicator light, especially on a vehicle’s dashboard, that shows the status of a system or alerts you to a problem.
NOUN
C1
INFORMAL
4
árulkodó
B1
Usage pattern:
a telltale
No one trusted him because he was known as a telltale.
Senki sem bízott benne, mert köztudott volt róla, hogy árulkodó.
She got angry and called her brother a telltale for reporting her.
Dühös lett, és árulkodónak nevezte a testvérét, amiért beárulta őt.
In the playground, being a telltale could get you into trouble.
Learner examples
He is a telltale and tells the teacher everything.
Ő egy árulkodó, és mindent elmond a tanárnak.
Common mistake:
Often confused with the verb phrase 'tell a tale' (tell a story), which is different.
Meaning
person who informs on others
Collocations
a sneaky telltale
|a schoolyard telltale
|call someone a telltale
|don't be a telltale
Synonyms
tattletale (Especially common in American English and with children.)
|
snitch (Stronger and more negative; often used for reporting to authorities.)
|
informer (More neutral/formal; often implies providing information to police.)
Antonyms
confidant (Someone trusted to keep secrets, not reveal them.)
|
ally (Someone who supports you rather than betraying you.)
Themes
people
|social_relationships
|conflict
Definition
A telltale is someone who tells on other people.
A person who reports someone else’s wrongdoing or secrets, especially in a disloyal or annoying way.
NOUN
C2
TECHNICAL
5
Usage pattern:
telltale(s) on [a sail]
Watch the telltales on the jib and ease the sheet if they start to stall.
Figyeld az orrvitorlán lévő áramlásjelző szálakat, és engedj a schoton, ha leállnak.
The telltales were streaming straight back, so the trim looked good.
Az áramlásjelző szálak egyenesen hátrafelé álltak, ezért a trim jónak tűnt.
He added a masthead telltale to help judge wind direction.
Common mistake:
Not related to 'telling stories'; it is a sailing tool.
Meaning
streamer showing airflow direction
Collocations
wind telltale
|sail telltales
|masthead telltale
|watch the telltales
|telltales streaming
|telltales drooping
|trim by the telltales
Synonyms
streamer (General word; does not specifically imply sailing function.)
Antonyms
windbreak (Blocks wind rather than showing its flow.)
Themes
sports
|transport
Definition
A telltale is a small strip on a sail that shows wind flow.
A small strip of ribbon, yarn, or lightweight material attached to a sail or rigging to show airflow and help trim the sail correctly.
NOUN
C2
TECHNICAL
6
Usage pattern:
telltale hole/port
Coolant dripping from the telltale hole suggests the seal is failing.
A jelzőfuratból csöpögő hűtőfolyadék arra utal, hogy a tömítés hibásodik.
If you see oil at the telltale, stop the machine and inspect it.
Ha olajat lát a jelzőfuratnál, állítsa le a gépet, és vizsgálja meg.
The manual says to check the telltale port during routine maintenance.
Common mistake:
This is specialized usage and may be unfamiliar outside maintenance contexts.
Meaning
leak indicator in equipment
Collocations
telltale hole
|telltale port
|telltale drain
|leak from the telltale
|fluid at the telltale
Synonyms
weep hole (Common technical term for a hole that lets leaking fluid escape visibly.)
|
indicator port (More general; emphasizes the function of indicating a condition.)
Antonyms
sealed joint (Designed to prevent visible leakage or indication.)
Themes
technology
|maintenance
Definition
A telltale can be a small opening that shows a leak.
A small hole, opening, or visible mark designed to show that a fluid leak or internal failure is occurring (for example, in a pump or seal).
Grammar
Dictionary form
telltale
IPA
GB/tˈɛltˌeɪl/
US/tˈɛltˌeɪl/
Syllables & stress
tell - tale (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (tell)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: telltale
Noun
- Base: telltale
- Plural: telltales
Expressions
a telltale sign (of [something])
1/ə tˈɛltˌeɪl sˈaɪn əv sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
clear evidence of something
A telltale sign is something that clearly shows something is true.
Examples
- Dark circles under the eyes can be a telltale sign of exhaustion.
- A sudden drop in sales is often a telltale sign of a larger problem.
- That cough is a telltale sign of the flu going around.
Learner examples
- A fever is a telltale sign of illness.
- This is a telltale sign of trouble.