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tell time

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /ˌtɛl ˈtaɪm/ · UK /ˌtel ˈtaɪm/

tell time means: To understand what time a clock shows by looking at its hands.

verb

READ CLOCKA2

To understand what time a clock shows by looking at its hands.

  • Can you tell time yet?
  • My daughter learned to tell time at school.
  • He tells time easily on a clock with large numbers.

Similar words: read a clock, tell the time

Common phrases: learn to tell time, tell time correctly

MEASURE TIMEB1

To find out what time it is by using a device or watching natural changes.

  • A sundial can tell time.
  • Sailors told time by watching the stars.
  • How did people tell time before clocks existed?

How to use it: tell time by something (People once told time by the position of the sun.)

Similar words: measure time

Common phrases: tell time accurately, tell time outdoors

Questions about tell time

What does tell time mean?

To understand what time a clock shows by looking at its hands.

What is tell time in other languages?

Türkçe: saati okumak · Español: leer la hora · Français: lire l’heure · Deutsch: die Uhr lesen · Italiano: leggere l’ora · 日本語: 時計を読む

How do you pronounce tell time?

In American English /ˌtɛl ˈtaɪm/; in British English /ˌtel ˈtaɪm/.

How do you use tell time in a sentence?

Can you tell time yet? My daughter learned to tell time at school.

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