verb
tell
To recognize something or distinguish it from something else.
I can tell the twins apart by their voices.
Etymology
Tell developed senses of reckoning and discerning. Telling things apart applies that judgment to recognizing a distinguishing feature.
More examples
- Can you tell whether it is ripe?
- She could tell he was upset.
- It is hard to tell from this photograph.
Forms
tell · tells · told · telling
Similar words
- distinguish
- Specifically means recognizing a difference between things.