tell time

English

Alternative forms

tell the time (UK)

Etymology

From tell in the sense of “count”.

Verb

tell time (third-person singular simple present tells time, present participle told time, simple past and past participle told time)

to measure time, to determine the current time
Synonym: keep time

Ancient civilizations told time at night by the passage of stars.
(specifically) to read the time as displayed on a clock
He couldn't tell time until he was in his teens.

Translations

to measure time

French: donner l'heure, chronométrer (fr)

to read a clock

French: donner l'heure

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