Dictionary definition · telling
noun
- an act of narration"he was the hero according to his own relation"
- informing by words
- disclosing information or giving evidence about another
adjective
- disclosing unintentionally something concealed"a telling smile"
- powerfully persuasive"a cogent argument"
- producing a strong effect"gave an impressive performance as Othello"
Source: Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).